Voters nationwide are concerned about China’s wrongful actions in the East Sea and want effective and consistent measures to be taken to protect Vietnam’s sovereignty over islands in the sea, heard the opening session of the National Assembly (NA) in Hanoi on July 20.

Speaking at the 14th NA’s first session, Nguyen Thien Nhan, president of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, said voters are worried about what China had done in the East Sea, including large-scale land reclamation, construction of artificial islands, militarization of Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes and assaults on Vietnamese fishermen. 

“Such actions of China have destabilized the region, threatened freedom of navigation, and violated the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) signed by ASEAN and China,” Nhan said.

According to Nhan, voters hope the Party and the State will continue adopting consistent and effective solutions to defend national sovereignty and ensure a peaceful and stable environment for the country to grow. In addition, they want more communications so that the international community will understand and support Vietnam’s determination to protect sovereign rights over islands and waters.

Addressing the session, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong described building and defending the country in a new era as a heavy task for the 14th NA and its deputies. Voters expected the new NA would have many breakthrough solutions to improve its operations.

Trong was quoted by the Vietnam News Agency as saying the Party would continue administering the building of the State of the people, by the people and for the people in line with the duties and rights prescribed in the Constitution.

The Party chief called for improvements in the quality of the NA’s supervision as well as innovate the ways question-and-answer sessions and the NA Standing Committee’s meetings are conducted.

In addition, the legislature was urged to increase the quality of decisions on important issues, especially those relating to socio-economic development, state budget and sensitive investment projects, and ensure the country’s interests suit the people’s aspirations.

Trong also asked the NA to promote external activities, contributing to the country’s foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralization.

It is necessary to give more power to and enhance capabilities of the Ethnic Council and other committees in examining laws and projects of national importance, according to Trong.

Regarding Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Corporation’s discharge of harmful industrial waste which caused serious environmental pollution on the central coast, Nhan said voters requested the Government and local authorities to continue working out specific measures to address short-term and long-term consequences of what is described as the nation’s worst environmental pollution incident, protect the environment, ensure stable livelihoods for local and the development of localities.

They also want a close monitoring of Formosa’s effort to fulfill its commitments, review the implementation of regulations on investment licensing, environmental impact assessment and management of business activities.

Nhan stressed that voters wanted a clarification of responsibilities of agencies and individuals for their lax management of investment and environmental protection issues.