Vietnam-China promote discussion on demarcation of sea areas outside the Gulf of Tonkin

On December 26, in Beijing, China, the 17th Round Meeting of the Working Group on the Sea Area beyond the Gulf of Tonkin and the 14th Round Meeting of the Working Group on Cooperation for Joint Development at Sea between Vietnam and China took place.

The head of the two Working Groups on the Vietnamese side is Ambassador, Deputy Head of the National Border Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Trinh Duc Hai. The head of the two Working Groups on the Chinese side is Representative for Border and Sea Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ho Vi. Representatives of relevant ministries and sectors of the two countries also attended the two Meetings.

In the spirit of mutual respect, mutual benefit, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, in compliance with the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders and the "Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues between Vietnam and China", the two sides exchanged opinions frankly and sincerely in a friendly and cooperative atmosphere to promote synchronous discussions on the delimitation of the sea area outside the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin and discussions on cooperation for mutual development at sea between Vietnam and China to soon achieve substantial progress.