China, Vietnam to keep up dialogue on Spratlys

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, DEC. 26. Vietnam and China, while signing an agreement on demarcating the disputed waters of the Gulf of Tonkin on Monday in Beijing, expressed the hope that it would pave the way for an understanding on the contentious Spratly Islands.

The agreement on Tonkin was signed by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries during the visit by the Vietnamese President, Mr. Tran Duc Luong, to China.

The detailed agreement, signed after many years of negotiation, has been termed ``The Agreement on the Demarcation of Waters, Exclusive Economic Zones in the Gulf of Tonkin''. A separate accord on fishing was also signed.

Without referring by name to the disputed Spratly Islands, a joint statement issued on the occasion said: ``The two sides agreed to maintain the existing negotiation mechanisms on marine issues and to persist in seeking a fundamental and everlasting solution acceptable to both sides through peaceful negotiations.

``Pending that solution, the two sides will, in the spirit of tackling easier issues before difficult ones, actively explore possibilities and measures for cooperation in environmental protection, meteorology, hydrology, disaster prevention and mitigation.

``At the same time, they (China and Vietnam) will not take actions to complicate or aggravate disputes, nor will they resort to force or threat of force. They will consult each other in a timely manner in case of disputes and adopt a cool and constructive attitude to handle them properly in order not to allow disputes to impede the normal development of bilateral ties,'' the statement added.

While China on Tuesday reiterated its sovereignty over the Spratlys, it is clear that both countries are keen on resolving the ticklish dispute peacefully and through negotiations.

The joint statement also said the two countries had decided to hold high-level meetings regularly and ``further promote friendly contacts'' between the two countries. ``They (the two sides) will also continue to strengthen the annual consultation between senior officials of the two Foreign Ministries to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest''.

China and Vietnam also agreed to carry out ``multi- level military exchanges in various fields to enhance mutual understanding and trust, build closer relations between national defence offices and armed forces of the two countries, and expand exchange and cooperation on security .

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Section  : International
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