Alfredo Femat Bañuelo, head of the parliament of the Mexican state of Zacatecas, on May 22 voiced his support of Vietnam’s peaceful stance on solving the East Sea issue to protect its legitimate rights and maintain regional peace and stability.

In a meeting with Bañuelo, Vietnamese Ambassador Le Thanh Tung updated him on the latest developments in China’s unilateral placement of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam ’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf since early May.

He said China’s move is illegal, seriously violating Vietnam ’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction and jeopardising peace, security, stability and navigation safety in the East Sea .

The diplomat reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance that China must immediately stop its illegal act and withdraw the oil rig and ships from Vietnam ’s waters.

He stressed his country will use all peaceful measures and take self-control to safeguard its sovereignty and legitimate rights.

Tung also thanked Zacatecas parliamentarians for their support to the Vietnamese people and the wish for a peaceful settlement.

I n a resolution sent to the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico , the Zacatecas parliament called on China and Vietnam to exercise their utmost restraint to avoid armed conflicts as well as seek political and dialogue solutions to the East Sea issue in line with international law.

The state’s parliamentarians also asked the federal legislative body to call on the United Nations to intervene and consider the problem multilaterally.

They also sent messages to embassies in the concerned countries, holding out hope that all disputes will be settled in accordance with international law.-VNA