National Assembly (NA) deputies have voiced their concern and objections to China’s illegal positioning of a drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, demanding China immediately withdraw its rig from Vietnam’s waters.

During their group discussion on May 21, the deputies declared that China’s placement of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction, infringing international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

China’s act runs counter to agreements reached by the two Parties and States, threatening peace and security in the region, they said.

The law makers also expressed thanks to international individuals and organisations for their support of Vietnam.

Delegates showed their approval and trust in the Party and State’s guidelines in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territory on the basis of international law and in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for national development, as well as in preserving the traditional friendship between the people of Vietnam and China.

During the second day of the NA’s 7th session, the NA also discussed draft amendments to the Domestic Waterway Transport Law and the Civil Aviation Law and the draft law making programmes for 2015.

The NA is scheduled to hold a plenary meeting on May 22 morning and group discussions in the afternoon.

VNA/VNN