Obama, Vietnam's Trong Discuss South China Sea Dispute

President Barack Obama on Tuesday exchanged concerns about China's activities in the South China Sea with the Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.



"We discussed the importance of resolving maritime disputes in the South China Sea and throughout the Asia Pacific," Obama told reporters at a joint White House press conference, noting that the two leaders also elaborated on several other bilateral issues. 



The century-long dispute over the South China Sea between the neighboring countries including Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and several others reignited in recent years as China has defined it as its exclusive economic zone and claimed natural sources there. 



The U.S. has long been stated its interest in the Pacific and confronting Beijing's activities in the region has been a stated goal of the Obama administration. 



Phu Trong said he and Obama shared concerns about China's activities that are not in line with international law and are complicating the situation in Pacific. 



During Bill Clinton's presidency the two foes began a process to mend ties.



"I think that 20 years ago, not too many people would imagine a meeting -- interesting meeting, a substantive meeting between the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the President of the United States," Phu Trong noted. - Washington DC