(VOVworld) – The US Senate opposes China’s unilateral act of placing Haiyang oil rig 981 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone in the East Sea. US senator Benjamin Cardin made the remarks at a reception hosted by National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on Tuesday in Hanoi for the US delegation of senators on their visit to Vietnam. Cardin expressed his hope that Vietnam and China will settle the issue in accordance with international law for regional peace, stability, and development. Benjamin Cardin, who is head of US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, expressed his belief that Vietnamese National Assembly and the US Congress will vigorously develop in the future to serve both nations’ interests.

NA Chairman Hung reiterated that Vietnam attaches great importance to its relations with the US, welcoming US policies of long-term commitment and enhancing cooperation with the region for regional peace, stability, and development. The two sides agreed on enhancing exchanges of high-level visits, especially in 2015 as the two countries mark their 20th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations, and promote annual dialogue mechanism between the two legislative bodies. Chairman Hung proposed the US to continue its policies of opening markets for Vietnamese goods, reduce trade barriers, especially anti-dumping price cases, and soon recognize Vietnam’s market economy, while supporting the TPP negotiations.

Chairman Hung expressed his belief that Benjamin Cardin will support the US Congress’ increasing its state budget on dioxin decontamination and support for Vietnamese AO/dioxin victims. He pledged that Vietnam will continue to cooperate with the US in searching for US soldiers missing in action during the Vietnam War.