This year, Viet Nam and Laos are celebrating important events, including 35 years of the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962 - 2012) and the Viet Nam - Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2012.

A group of leading US senators have introduced a resolution urging China and ASEAN to complete the work on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), to settle disputes before tensions rise any further. The Foreign Policy on July 25 reported that the senators including John Kerry (Democrat), Richard Lugar (Republican), John McCain (Republican), Jim Webb (Democrat), James Inhofe (Republican) and Joe Lieberman (Independence) introduced the resolution on the East Sea disputes this week.

The Kim Thanh international border gate No.2, part of the pair of Lao Cai (Viet Nam) - He Kou (China) international border gates, was officially opened on August 8. This is an important gateway for trade exchanges in the Kunming-Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong economic corridor. The Kim Thanh international bridge will be an advantage of the Lao Cai border gate.

On August 2nd, Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee Do Thong received and held a working session with a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ National Boundary Commission, headed by the commission’s Vice Chairman Nguyen Duy Chien.

According to TNHK, the Indian Government has clearly stated that the country has not withdrawn from the oil and gas exploration project with the Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam) in block No.128 in Viet Nam’s continental shelf in the East Sea, where China claimed territorial rights.

That action infringes on Viet Nam’s sovereignty over Truong Sa archipelago and cause tension and complicate the situation in the East Sea. Viet Nam resolutely opposes and asks that Taiwan immediately ceases wrongful actions and refrains from having activities that may complicate the situation in Truong Sa area.

Almost 150 scholars, researchers and diplomats from 20 countries, including Viet Nam, gathered at the second international conference on the East Sea held by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on September 4-5.

President Truong Tan Sang received in Ha Noi on September 3 a delegation from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army led by Deputy Chief of General Staff Sen. Lieut. Gen. Ma Xiaotian, who is currently in Ha Noi for the third Viet Nam-China strategic defence talks.