(VOVworld) – The 7^th session of the 13^th National Assembly closed on Tuesday after nearly a month. Lawmakers approved a number of draft laws and for the first time issued a communiqué to protest China’s illegal placing of oilrig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The legislature earmarked approximately 800 million USD to build offshore fishing boats and equip marine police and fisheries resources surveillance forces. Hong Van reports:

The National Assembly session took place in the context of positive economic development and budget collection. However, China’s placing of an oilrig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone has posed a number of challenges to Vietnam.

Institutionalizing the 2013 Constitution

Legislation was the focal point of this session and deputies spent two-thirds of their time discussing laws related to the state apparatus, the socialist-oriented market economy, and human rights. Deputies approved 11 laws and 2 resolutions and commented on another 16 draft laws and one resolution. They decided to include the Draft Law on Demonstrations in next year’s legislative program. Deputy head of the National Assembly Office Nguyen Sy Dung said the session’s agenda was aimed at implementing the resolution of the 11^th National Party Congress and institutionalizing the 2013 Constitution. Dinh Xuan Thao, a deputy from Hanoi, said: “The 2013 Constitution became effective at the start of this year. The deputies centered their discussions on ensuring the rights of the people and organizations rather than state management alone. The deputies showed a keen sense of responsibility and the number of deputies who contributed their opinions was tripled the number in previous sessions.”

Reflecting the people’s will on the East Sea issue

The deputies strongly protested China’s placing of an oilrig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. During the first day of the session, they heard a government report on the situation in the East Sea. They issued Communiqué No. 2 to express their concern and objection to China’s illegal acts. The communiqué calls China’s action a serious violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung stressed this feeling in his closing speech. Nguyen Thai Hoc, a deputy from Phu Yen province, said: “Voters nationwide and the deputies paid special attention to the East Sea issue. The deputies conveyed the feelings, opinions and determination of the voters on the East Sea issue.”

The decision to spend 800 million USD to support offshore fishermen and marine police and fisheries resources surveillance forces has drawn public praise. Huynh Trong Nghia, a deputy from Ho Chi Minh city, said: “The National Assembly and relevant agencies are doing what they can to support Vietnam’s just struggle and the offshore fishermen and law enforcement forces who are defending Vietnam’s maritime sovereignty. The deputies unanimously supported this decision.”