China, Vietnam to discuss dispute

China, Vietnam to discuss dispute

HANOI (AFP): China and Vietnam will meet in Beijing on April 9 to discuss a maritime dispute triggered by a Chinese oil rig drilling outside the Tonkin Gulf, a foreign ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Tran Quang Hoan, director of the press department of the foreign ministry, said China had proposed the April 9 meeting "in order to settle this issue."

The dispute flared on March 7 when a Chinese oil rig moved into the contested area prompting Vietnam to demand that China move the rig.

Vietnam and China both claim the territory where the rig is operating in a potentially gas rich area 64.5 nautical miles (119 kilometers) from Vietnam's coast and 71 nautical miles (130 kilometers) from China's Hainan Island.