The Mongolia-Vietnam Friendship Association and the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association have jointly organised a seminar for the two countries’ businesses in Mongolia.

Both sides agreed that the seminar offered a good chance for businesses to exchange experience and expand connections.

They vowed to continue helping the two countries’ enterprises strengthen their cooperation in order to boost bilateral economic and trade ties and enhance mutual trust and understanding between the two peoples.

During the seminar, the two associations also issued a joint statement voicing deep concerns over the current East Sea situation after China illegally placed its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in early May.

Besides, Chinese ships deployed to defend the rig have repeatedly rammed and fired water cannons into Vietnamese coast guard and fisheries surveillance ships which are carrying out their law enforcement missions in the country’s waters, leaving many Vietnamese ships damaged and officers injured.

Participants agreed that China’s unilateral acts gravely infringe Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign right ad jurisdiction stipulated in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, violating the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

These acts are also worrying neighbouring countries of China, they added.

During its stay in Mongolia from June 1-6, the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association delegation led by its President Ho Xuan Hung has visited the Mongolian Union for Peace and Friendship and the Ho Chi Minh high school in Ulaanbaatar capital city.-VNA