China and Vietnam agreed to seek a basic and long-term approach that will be acceptable for both sides in solving maritime disputes on the basis of legislation and principles enshrined in international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea signed in 1982. Both sides should fully respect legal principles, take history and other relevant issues into consideration and accommodate each other's concerns in a constructive manner.

By illegally and forcefully disrupting the normal operation of the Chinese company on the sea and condoning anti-China demonstrations at home, Vietnam's provocative actions have undermined the benign interaction between the two sides and posed a challenge to the development of the hard-won China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership.

In the face of Vietnam's treacherous actions on the sea, China has exercised great restraint. Since May 2, China has conducted over 30 communications with Vietnam at various levels, requesting that Vietnam stop its illegal and disruptive activities. Regrettably, however, the illegal disruptive actions by Vietnam are still continuing. At present, the channel of communication between the two sides is still unobstructed, and the Chinese government will continue to work hard to communicate with the Vietnamese government and urge it to bear in mind the overall interests of the bilateral relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea, respect China's sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction, immediately stop all disruptions of the Chinese company's operations and withdraw all vessels and personnel from the site, so as to ease tensions and restore tranquility at sea as early as possible. China will continue its efforts to communicate with Vietnam with a view to properly addressing the current situation.

The author is a research scholar at the Institute of South and Southeast Asian and Oceanian Studies under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.