VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the 24th ASEAN Summit in Myanmar on May 10-11, amid escalating East Sea tensions which are expected to be hotly contested and dominate debate at the meeting.

VietNamNet Bridge – China’s deployment of an oil rig in Vietnam’s waters is a hazardous escalation that creates an extremely dangerous scenario to the region, the Straits Times, Singapore’s leading daily, quoted the country’s analysts as saying

VietNamNet Bridge – The parties concerned need to exercise restraint and resolve disputes in safe and appropriate way, said US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel at a press conference in Hanoi on May 8.

 The US protests against actions that affect freedom, security and maritime safety, as well as the use of force or threat to use force.

 Italian scholars condemn China’s territorial violations; Party Central Committee meets to review long-term progress; NA deputies meet public in Hoa Binh, Ha Nam provinces

  US Senator John McCain on May 7 released a statement criticising China for its recent acts to intentionally escalate tensions in the East Sea.

VietNamNet Bridge - In an international press conference held on Tuesday, Vietnamese officials released videos of Vietnamese ships being attacked by Chinese vessels which were on duty at an oil rig that was illegally built by China.

Viet Nam yesterday reaffirmed that it would take all necessary measures, preferably diplomatic, to protect its waters. This follows increased attacks on Vietnamese vessels near a Chinese oil rig on Viet Nam's continental shelf.

 The State Department of the US on May 6 warned against China 's moving of its oil rig into the East Sea , describing it as a provocative act that can cause instability in the region.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke on the phone with Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi on the afternoon of May 6 on China’s drilling rig HYSY-981 and its ships operating in Vietnam’s waters.

 PM welcomes Brunei envoy; Steering committee for int’l integration set up; Defence Minister meets Chinese wartime supporters; Deputy defence minister bids farewell to Myanmar attaché

 Vietnam attends ASEAN-EU defence officials’ dialogue; Deputy PM Ninh to visit Sweden, Britain; Deputy Prime Minister takes a tough stance against smuggling

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh has stressed all disputes in the East Sea must be settled through peaceful means and in line with international law. 

Bulgaria PM Oreshaski to visit Vietnam; Vietnam attends US-ASEAN defence forum; Malaysian PM’s visit to Vietnam to enhance bilateral ties; PM Dung welcomes foreign ambassadors

VietNamNet Bridge – While some scientists have urged the government to begin carrying out the archaeology activities in East Sea, others say this is an impossible mission now under Vietnam’s conditions.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A foundation aimed at supporting studies on the East Sea was launched in Hanoi on March 27.

Vietnam opens honorary consulate in Israel; Better approach to policies for ex-soldiers: Front leader; Malaysia appreciates Vietnam’s support in lost jet hunt; Vietnam, US underscore cooperation at sea

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has not paid appropriate attention to the underwater archaeology at the East Sea. The exploration projects in the area so far just aim to discover sunken ships or arms depots.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has suggested that Viet Nam and Indonesia create further incentives so that two-way trade can reach US$10 billion a year.

 VietNamNet Bridge - This year, the number of tropical storms and depressions on the East Sea is predicted to be less than the average of many years ago, with about 9 to 10 storms.