This information was released by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh at a press conference in Hanoi on June 16 while responding to a media question about whether Vietnam mentions the East Sea tensions during the upcoming visit to Vietnam by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

Binh said "As far as we know, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit Vietnam. This is the second meeting of the two chairmen of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. The issue related to the illegal placement by China of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou–981 in Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone will most certainly be among the topics discussed. "

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

"As we have repeatedly affirmed so far and at this press conference, Vietnam has always been very persistent in seeking all information channels for dialogue exchange with China to resolve the current tensions in the East Sea peacefully. Thus, this meeting between the two chairmen is surely a channel for both parties to find a solution for solving the problem. ", Binh added.

Also at the fifth international press conference hosted by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs since the Chinese drilling platform is illegally located in Vietnam’s waters, Vietnam rejected China’s groundless arguments on its sovereignty over the East Sea, providing evidence that China has deployed ships and military aircraft to attack Vietnamese vessels.

Earlier, the South China Morning Post of Hong Kong (China) reported that Yang Jiechi is expected to attend a meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and hold talks with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.