Vietnam urges China to respect, comply to Boundary Delimitation Agreement in the Gulf of Tonkin
Vietnam requests that China respect and comply with the Agreement on the delimitation of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zones and continental shelf between the two countries in the Tonkin Gulf signed in 2000, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), said Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang.
Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)🍷 – Vietnam requests that China respect and complywith the Agreement on the delimitation of the territorial sea, exclusiveeconomic zones and continental shelf between the two countries in the TonkinGulf signed in 2000, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of theSea (UNCLOS), said Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang.
The spokeswoman made the statement at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on March 14 in response to reporters’ question regarding China's recent declarationof the straight baselines in the Gulf of Tonkin.
🍎 Hang noted that Vietnam and Chinaare the two countries bordering the Gulf of Tonkin. On December 25, 2000, theysigned the Vietnam-China Agreement on the delimitation of the territorial sea, exclusive economic zones and continental shelf, also known as the Vietnam-China Boundary DelimitationAgreement in the Gulf of Tonkin, which took effect on June 30, 2004. Thisagreement delineates the maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zones, andcontinental shelves of each country within the Gulf.
Vietnam holds that coastal states must comply with the 1982 UNCLOS when determining the baseline used to measure thebreadth of the territorial sea, ensuring that such actions do not affect the legitimaterights and interests of other countries, including the right to navigation freedom,the right to transit passage through straits used for international navigation, asguaranteed by the 1982 UNCLOS, Hang said. Vietnam has and will continue exchanging viewpointswith China regarding this issue in the spirit of friendship, mutual understandingand respect, she said, adding that Vietnam reserves its legal rights and interestsunder international law as well as the view expressed in the VietnameseGovernment’s Declaration on June 6, 1996 concerning the Chinese Government’s Declarationon May 15, 1996 on the baseline used to measure the breadth of the territorialsea of China. Hang stressed that like all other relationships,the differences in the relationship between countries, in this case Vietnam andChina, should always be discussed by the two involved countries./.
The coast guard forces of Vietnam and China conducted a joint patrol on the waters adjacent to the two countries’ delimitation line in the Gulf of Tonkin from April 11 – 13.
Vietnam and China held the 16th round of negotiations of the working group on the sea area beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin and the 13th round of talks of the working group for consultation on cooperation for mutual development at sea in China’s Guangdong province on July 4.
The coast guards of Vietnam and China conducted a joint patrol from November 29 to December 1 on the waters adjacent to the demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin, contributing to strengthening peace, stability and the rule of law at sea.
The coast guards of Vietnam and China will conduct joint patrol quarterly to prevent crimes and violations in the waters adjacent to the delimitation line in the Gulf of Tonkin, heard an online meeting between the two sides held on January 31.
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President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
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Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
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At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA) 
