VIETNAM'S Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has expressed "deep regret" over anti-China protests in Vietnam, including the activities that resulted in the damage of two Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks.
The country's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Tokyo yesterday, where they were both attending the Nikkei conference, to convey Mr Dung's regret for the incidents.
In the 30-minute meeting, Mr Dam reassured Mr Lee that Vietnamese authorities will conduct a full investigation and take the necessary actions against the perpetrators, said a statement released by Mr Lee's office yesterday.
Mr Dam also gave Mr Lee Vietnam's full assurance that these incidents would not happen again.
This comes after anti-China riots broke out in Vietnam last week, in reaction to Beijing's deployment of an oil rig in a part of the South China Sea that Vietnam also claims.
Protesters attacked two Singapore-run industrial parks in Binh Duong province, an hour north of Ho Chi Minh City. They also burned a Singapore flag, apparently mistaking it for China's flag.
Yesterday, Mr Lee expressed appreciation for Mr Dam's assurance, and for Vietnam's efforts to resolve the situation. He also reiterated Singapore's position on the recent developments in the South China Sea, saying Singapore takes no sides in the territorial disputes, which should be managed peacefully in accordance with international law.