President Xi calls to ease differences over South China Sea during talks with Vietnamese leader
Beijing (PTI): President Xi Jinping Monday called for "better management" of differences between China and Vietnam over their maritime disputes as he met Vietnam’s new top leader To Lam here, amidst increasing tensions in the disputed South China Sea.
Just two weeks ago, Lam took over as the general secretary of the ruling Vietnamese Communist Party, a powerful post similar to one held by Xi, who heads the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) - the country’s top political position.
Lam succeeded Nguyen Phu Trong, who died last month after 13 years as leader.
Hosting Lam for crucial talks, Xi underscored that at the critical stage of national development and revitalization, China and Vietnam should consolidate the development pattern featuring higher political mutual trust, more solid security cooperation, deeper practical cooperation, stronger public support, closer multilateral coordination and cooperation, and better management and resolution of differences.
He welcomed Lam's State Visit to China - his first foreign trip after taking over power.
Xi said Lam’s gesture fully reflects the great importance the Vietnamese leader attaches to the relations between the two communist parties and the two countries, as well as the high level and strategic nature of China-Vietnam relations.
He expressed willingness to establish good working relations and personal friendship with Lam.
Xi said China takes Vietnam as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and supports Vietnam in upholding the leadership of the CPV, taking the socialist path suited to its national conditions, and further advancing the cause of reform, opening up and socialist modernisation.
On his arrival in China, Lam said Vietnam accords top priority to ties with Beijing.
Though headed by the “brotherly Communist Parties”, tensions remain between China and Vietnam over their overlapping claims in the disputed South China Sea.
Both countries claim the Paracel and Spratly islands, and Vietnam has become more vocal about the disputes, drawing closer to India, the US and its allies.
Much to the chagrin of China, Vietnam in recent years has also upgraded its ties with India, the US and Japan to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the country’s highest designation for a diplomatic relationship, in an apparent attempt to have international support for itself in the event of any conflict with China.
Both countries fought a bitter war in 1979.
Lam’s visit is taking place amidst heightening tensions between China and the Philippines, backed by the US and Japan over the disputed South China Sea.
China claims most of the South China Sea, while the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims.
Xi told Lam that China is ready to maintain close strategic communication and high-level exchanges with Vietnam, firmly adhere to mutual support, actively explore ways to expand synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, accelerate the "hard connectivity" of railway, expressway and port infrastructure, enhance the "soft connectivity" of smart customs, and jointly build a secure and stable industrial and supply chain, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Lam, who arrived in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on August 18, said the older generations of leaders of the two parties and countries have forged deep friendships, and the Vietnamese people will never forget China's assistance in Vietnam's national liberation, independence and socialist construction.
He said that his party and country have always considered the development of relations with China as the top priority in their foreign policy and will strive to carry on the tradition of bilateral friendship created by the older generations of leaders of the two parties and countries.
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B'luru woman files civil suit seeking ₹62 lakhs after alleged harassment by housing society members
Bengaluru: A 22-year-old woman in Bengaluru has made headlines after launching legal action against members of her housing society. She claimed trespassing, harassment, and intimidation at a private meeting at her apartment.
The incident was posted by the woman in detail in a series of posts on Reddit. It reportedly took place on a Saturday night when five of her friends visited her home. She stated that the gathering was quiet, with no music or party, and involved only cooking and conversation.
According to her account, a society member knocked on her door and objected to what he assumed was a gathering of tenants, allegedly stating that “bachelors are not allowed.” The woman claimed that she told him that she was the owner of the flat before closing the door. Soon after, four to five men entered her living room without permission, accusing her and her friends of consuming alcohol and drugs, and demanding that she leave the flat by the next day.
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The woman said her friends intervened and forced the men out of the house. When members of the society contacted the police, the situation escalated. She claimed that the police requested her to prove ownership of the property, which she refused, claiming there was no disturbance and that the men had no right to enter her home. She also stated that CCTV cameras put in her living room captured the entire episode.
In a subsequent post, the woman said she served legal notices to the housing society and the individuals involved, accusing them of trespass, harassment and assault. She claimed the CCTV footage was shown to the builder and the society chairman, following which the accused board members were removed from their positions and fined ₹20,000 each.
She further stated that she had filed a civil suit seeking ₹62 lakh in compensation. She also demanded a permanent injunction restraining the accused from contacting her in the future. According to her lawyer, while full compensation may be unlikely, even partial damages would be significant.
The posts quickly went viral and received strong reactions on social media. Many users praised her decision to pursue legal remedies. Few others asserted that housing society members had no authority to enter a resident’s home without consent.
