15 December 2016

News Story: Border, territorial issues critical to Vietnam-China ties - official

Beijing (VNA) – Vietnamese officials underlined the importance of border and territorial issues to relations between Vietnam and China at the two countries’ governmental-level negotiation on border and territory in Beijing, China, on December 12-13.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, head of the National Boundary Commission, while the Chinese side was headed by Trung’s counterpart Liu Zhenmin.

The proper settlement of border and territorial issues will be an important foundation for enhancing the countries’ relations, Trung said, reiterating Vietnam’s consistent policy on border and territorial matters, including sea-related issues.

He also voiced concerns about recent complex developments in the East Sea.

At the meeting, participants reviewed the cooperation in resolving border and territorial issues since the last plenary negotiation in 2013.

In terms of land border, Vietnam and China have attained many positive outcomes, they said, noting that the mechanisms for border management cooperation such as the land border joint committee, border representatives and the committee on border gate management cooperation have proved effective. The countries have also made joint efforts to fight cross-border crimes.

Those outcomes have greatly helped with border management and protection, creating favourable conditions for socio-economic development in border areas, the officials said.

The two sides agreed to enhance social security and order management in border areas while effectively executing the cooperation agreement on protecting and tapping tourism resources of Ban Gioc/Detian Waterfall, and the agreement on the travel of ships at the free navigation area at the mouth of the Bac Luan/Beilun River.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus