President Sang receives US Secretary of Commerce
(VOVworld)- President Truong Tan Sang on Monday hosted a reception for the visiting US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. President Sang urged the two countries to speed up the implementation of the signed agreements on trade and investment, for their mutual benefits, and peace and stability in Asia-Pacific. He thanked the US Congress and Government for their strong objection against China’s illegal placement of its oil rig deep in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. President Sang said he hopes the international community, including the US, will continue protesting China’s recent move of sinking Vietnamese fishing boat and ramming into Vietnam Coast Guard ships, damaging property and threatening the lives of Vietnamese fishermen and law enforcement officials. China has continued to use warships and military aircraft to disturb Vietnam’s law enforcement operations, he said, stressing that China’s activities are extremely dangerous and must be ended immediately in order to resume order in accordance with international law.
The US Secretary of Trade stated that the US is keen on boosting ties with Vietnam in all fields. Speaking highly of Vietnam’s improvement of its investment environment, Pritzker said many US firms are interested in starting new businesses or expanding their current operations in the country. Mentioning the East Sea issue, she reiterated the stance shared by the US Congress and Government that opposed China’s unilateral and provocative move of positioning its oil rig deep in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, sparking tensions in the East Sea. She also voiced her support for the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures.