Vietnam and China signedan Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-relatedissues in Beijing on Oct. 11. Following is the full text of theagreement.
The delegation of the Government of theSocialist Republic of Vietnam and the delegation of the Government ofthe People’s Republic of China agree that the satisfactory settlementof sea-related issues between Vietnam and China is suitable forthe basic interests and common aspirations of the two countries’ peopleand helpful for regional peace, stability, co-operation and development.The two sides agree, on the basis of common perceptions of theVietnamese and Chinese leaders reached on sea-related issues and “The1993 Agreement on Basic Principles for the Settlement of BorderTerritory Issues between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and thePeople’s Republic of China”, to solve sea-related issues pursuant to thefollowing principles:
1. Taking the generalsituation of the two countries’ relationship as the key, originatingfrom a strategic and overall attitude under the guidance of the motto,“Friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation, long-termstability and looking towards the future” and the spirit of “Goodneighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners”, andpersistently pursuing friendly talks and negotiations to properly settlesea-related issues, thus making the East Sea a territory of peace,friendship and co-operation and contributing to the development of theVietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as wellas to regional peace and stability.
2. In thespirit of fully respecting legal evidence regarding other relevantfactors such as history, and at the same time taking into account eachother’s reasonable concerns with a constructive attitude and an attemptto expand common perceptions, narrow differences and continuouslyaccelerate negotiations. Based on a legal regime and principles definedby international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of theSea, making efforts to seek basic and long-term solutions acceptable toboth sides for sea-related disputes.
3. Innegotiations on sea-related issues, the two sides seriously abide byagreements and common perceptions reached by their high-ranking leadersand seriously implement the principles and spirit of the “Declaration onthe Conduct of Parties in the East Sea ” (DOC).
For sea-related disputes between Vietnam and China , the twosides shall solve them through friendly talks and negotiations. Disputesrelating to other countries shall be settled through negotiations withother concerned parties.
4. In the process ofseeking basic and long-term solutions for sea-related issues, in thespirit of mutual respect, equal and mutually beneficial treatment, thetwo sides actively discuss transitional and temporary measures that donot affect the stances and policies of the two sides, including studiesand discussions on cooperation for mutual development based onprinciples described in Article 2 of this Agreement.
5. Addressing sea-related issues in succession and progress with easyissues first and difficult issues later. Firmly speeding up thedemarcation of territorial waters off the Tonkin Gulf and activelydiscussing co-operation for mutual development on these waters.Actively boosting co-operation in less sensitive fields, such assea-related environment protection, sea-related science research, searchand rescue at sea, and prevention and minimisation of damage caused bynatural disasters. Attempting to enhance mutual trust to facilitate thesettlement of more difficult issues.
6. The twosides in turn conduct periodical meetings between heads ofgovernment-level border negotiation delegations twice a year andextraordinary meetings if necessary. The two sides agree to set up ahotline mechanism between the government-level delegations to exchangeand properly deal with sea-related issues in a timely manner./.
