Vietnam’s To Lam broaches South China Sea with Chinese Premier Li Qiang

Just a fortnight after a clash at sea, Hanoi says talks between the two underline need for peace in the waters

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Vietnamese President To Lam greets Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Hanoi on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:35pm, 13 Oct 2024Updated: 4:53pm, 13 Oct 2024

Leaders from China and Vietnam have agreed to maintain peace in the South China Sea, just two weeks after reports of clashes between Vietnamese fishermen and the Chinese coastguard in the disputed waters.

At the start of a three-day visit to Vietnam, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Vietnamese President To Lam agreed in Hanoi on Saturday night on the importance of stability in the strategic waterway.

“Lam suggested that both sides strictly implement the high-level common perceptions, [and] direct relevant authorities to actively seek effective methods and solutions to better control and resolve disagreements,” state-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

He also called on the two neighbours to “enhance cooperation in accordance with the level of bilateral relations, based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea”.

Vietnam is among several Southeast Asian countries that have overlapping claims with China in the disputed waters, and Li’s trip had been seen as a chance for Beijing to ease tensions between the two countries.

Earlier this month, Hanoi accused the Chinese coastguard of beating Vietnamese fishermen and removing their equipment in the waters.