People's Democracy

CHINA and Vietnam recently signed three important agreements on the demarcation of territorial waters, on the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and on cooperation in the field of fishery in the Beibu Bay. These agreements were signed by the Vietnamese president Tran Duc Luong and the Chinese president Jiang Zemin when the former paid a formal visit to China and the two sides held talks in a cordial atmosphere.

The agreements signed between the two countries are: (1) the Land Boundary Treaty Between the People’s Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; (2) the Agreement Between the People’s Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the Delimitation of Territorial Sea, the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf in the Beibu Bay, and (3) the Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Fishing Cooperation in the Beibu Bay.

According to President Jiang Zemin, the agreements reflected the sincerity of both sides in promoting good-neighbourly relations and all-round cooperation. He added that these agreements were of profound significance for long-term stability in the Beibu Bay and for lasting bilateral relations. They will also contribute to regional peace and development.

Commenting on the future development of bilateral relations, Jiang stressed four points:

--- China will continue to develop a state-to-state relationship with Vietnam on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence;

--- The two countries will maintain high-level contact as well as contact at other levels and strengthen cooperation in regional and multi-lateral international affairs;

--- Greater prominence will be given to the two countries’ cooperation in the economic and trade fields;

--- China and Vietnam have successfully resolved the problems related to their borders, the demarcation of the Beibu Bay and the related fishing issue, laying the foundation that will enable the two countries to share a border of peace, friendship and long-term stability in the new century.

In order to maintain true stability in the border areas, both sides now need to honour their political commitments, earnestly carry out the agreements that have been reached and appropriately solve the potential problems of various kinds in order to safeguard the their relations.

Luong spoke highly of the great progress achieved by China since the initiation of the policy of opening up. He said the Vietnamese Communist Party, government and people were delighted with China’s rapid development and rising international status.

Luong said Vietnam and China are friendly neighbours, enjoying long and traditional friendship. The solidarity and cooperation between the two countries was fostered by the old generations of leaders in both countries in the course of protracted revolutionary struggles. Luong assured that the Vietnamese government and people will forever remember the precious support and selfless help that China gave during the period of Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and socialist construction.

Luong added the bilateral relations between China and Vietnam are in a very good phase at a time when both the countries are soon going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. Vietnam hopes that the relations of all-round friendly cooperation between the two countries will lead to extensive as well as intensive development.

The Vietnamese president also pointed out that Vietnam highly praises the agreements on the delimitation of borders in the Beibu Bay and on fishing. These agreements will, he said, lay a solid foundation for the all-round development of bilateral relations in the new century.

During Luong’s visit to China, the two sides signed a joint statement on All-round Cooperation in the New Century between the People’s Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The statement points out that since the normalisation of relations in 1991, the traditional friendly relations of mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit between the two countries have developed rapidly in all fields on the basis of the principles enshrined in the joint communiques and joint statements issued during the high-level meetings in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995 and 1999, and that there have been frequent exchanges between departments of the two countries at all levels.

The statement said both sides agreed to boost and expand cooperation in the following areas:

--- To hold frequent high-level meetings;

--- To continue to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, science and technology;

--- To continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination at the United Nations, ASEAN Regional Forum, APEC, East Asia Cooperation and other international and regional multilateral fora.

The statement expressed the two sides’ belief that the agreements they have signed are of profound historic significance. According to the statement, the two sides have undertaken to implement these agreements in earnest and effectively cooperate with each other in making the border between them peaceful, friendly and stable.

The statement said the two sides also agreed to maintain the existing mechanism for negotiations on the marine issue and to persist in seeking a fundamental and ever-lasting solution acceptable to both sides through peaceful negotiations. Pending the solution, in a spirit of tackling easier issues before difficult ones, the two sides will actively explore the possibilities and measures for cooperating in ocean environment’s protection, meteorology, hydrology, and the prevention and alleviation of disasters. At the same time, they will not take any action to complicate or aggravate disputes, nor will they resort to force or the threat of force. In case of a dispute, they will consult each other early and adopt a cool and constructive attitude to handle it properly. They will not allow any disputes to impede the normal development of their relations.

The two sides expressed hope that the results achieved during Luong’s visit to China will not only further promote the healthy development of the relations between China and Vietnam; they will also contribute to peace, stability and development in the region.