Hanoi: In a crucial step towards addressing bilateral territorial and border concerns, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong met in Hanoi on November 9. The meeting focused on the ongoing negotiations between Vietnam and China regarding territorial and border issues.
According to Vietnam News Agency, both officials expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, especially following the significant visit of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China in October 2022. They agreed to further actualize the understandings reached by the senior leaders of both countries to enhance substantive cooperation across various sectors. This collaboration is in preparation for the 15th meeting of the Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation and other significant bilateral events leading up to the 15th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
The meeting highlighted positive developments in managing and cooperating along the Vietnam-China land border, adhering to legal agreements. This includes the effective operation of the Land Border Joint Committee mechanism, enhanced cooperation in infrastructure and transportation connectivity in border regions, and the successful pilot operation of the Ban Gioc – Detian waterfalls, which has contributed significantly to socio-economic development in these areas.
Both sides pledged to continue their close collaboration in border management and protection, respecting the three legal documents on land border and relevant agreements. They are committed to effectively collaborating in opening, upgrading, and recognizing border gates, implementing measures to facilitate customs clearance, and promoting cultural and commercial exchanges in border areas, aiming to create a borderline of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation, and development.
Regarding maritime issues, they candidly discussed recent developments in the East Sea. Emphasis was placed on the serious implementation of the common perceptions of the senior leaders of the two Parties and countries and the 2011 Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues. Both parties agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability, exercising restraint, and avoiding actions that could complicate the situation at sea.
The Vietnamese side emphasized the need for mutual respect of each other’s legitimate rights and interests, proper management of differences, maintaining open negotiation channels on maritime issues, and seeking a fundamental and long-term solution in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Both sides appreciated the progress of projects within the framework of cooperation in less sensitive areas, such as aquatic resources protection in the Gulf of Tonkin and signed agreements on geological environment and disasters in the Red River and Yangtze River Deltas, and integrated marine and island environment management in the Gulf of Tonkin.
They agreed to accelerate negotiations on delimitation of waters beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin, finalize procedures for establishing a hotline for fishing activity contingencies, and sign an agreement on Vietnam-China search and rescue cooperation. They also committed to further enhance cooperation at sea, particularly in less sensitive areas.
On this occasion, Vietnamese Foreign Affairs Minister Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Vice Foreign Minister Sun, suggesting close collaboration between the two ministries in preparation for upcoming exchange activities. Minister Son highlighted the need for innovative measures and practical coordination in economy, trade, infrastructure, and connectivity to facilitate people-to-people exchanges, particularly in border areas. He emphasized the importance of coordinating land border management and effectively controlling differences at sea to bolster friendly and cooperative ties between Vietnam and China.