The Vietnamese ambassador in Moscow has pledged to give Russia priority access to its military port of Cam Ranh Bay as enticement for support against China in its ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea, reports the Global Times, a tabloid under the auspices of the Communist Party mouthpiece.
Pham Xuan Son announced the promise at a press conference on June 19, a day before three vessels from the Russian Navy's Pacific Fleet completed logistical supply at the bay, a key inlet of the South China Sea situated on the southeastern coast of Vietnam. The ambassador said the two sides were still discussing a joint-venture to provide maintenance services to military and civilian vessels at the bay, adding that Vietnam considered its cooperation with the Russian military "very important."
In a separate interview, Son told Russian media that 95% of Vietnam's weapons are purchased from Russia, and also noted that the two countries are currently cooperating in the fields of oil exploration and helicopter manufacturing, and were in talks to build Vietnam's first nuclear power station.
Read the full story at Want China Times