Territorial border work makes a tangible contribution to building, protecting the country
WVR - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with relevant ministries, branches, localities, and agencies, has diligently executed the task of managing and staunchly safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This effort has been instrumental in maintaining a peaceful environment, fostering stability, and cultivating cooperation with neighboring countries, yielding numerous outcomes.
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| Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (R) and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Samdech Krolahom Sar Kheng co-chair the 12th conference on cooperation and development between border localities of Vietnam and Cambodia took place in Tay Ninh Province on April 25, 2023. (Source: VNA) |
In line with Vietnam’s tradition as a peace-loving nation, the country remains resolute and persistent in upholding its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The endeavors to build and protect borders, ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Fatherland, as well as safeguard the rights and interests associated with borders and territorial sovereignty, play a pivotal role in preserving a peaceful and stable environment. These efforts also contribute to maintaining amicable relations with neighboring countries on both land and sea, thereby creating favorable conditions for the country’s socio-economic development.
Adhering closely to the guiding principles of our Party and State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with relevant ministries, branches, localities, and agencies, has exerted itself to effectively manage and safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. These efforts have resulted in the maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment, coupled with the advancement of cooperative relations with neighboring countries, leading to numerous positive outcomes. The details are as follows:
The management and protection of borders, seas, and islands
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has closely collaborated with relevant ministries, branches, border localities, agencies, and the forces of neighboring countries to comprehensively implement border management coordination, as per legal documents governing the borders between Vietnam and other countries. Incidents arising in border management have been handled satisfactorily, without adversely affecting relations between Vietnam and other countries, as well as between border localities. The situation across the land border remains essentially stable, with the preservation of the border line, the system of national markers, and national sovereignty. Social order and safety in border areas are guaranteed, facilitating negotiations, management, as well as the socio-economic development of border provinces and the country at large.
In the maritime domain, the situation in the East Sea is evolving rapidly, becoming more complex and unpredictable. This escalation heightens the risk of friction, directly impacting the peaceful and prosperous environment of the region as a whole and the protection of sovereignty, particularly our maritime rights and interests. Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proactively monitored the situation and actively coordinated with competent ministries, branches, and functional forces to promptly propose and advise on measures to protect our sovereignty and jurisdiction over the East Sea from afar. Appropriate measures have been taken to counter acts that violate our rights in the East Sea. Consequently, cooperative activities in the exploration, exploitation of resources, and fishing are guaranteed to occur normally on the continental shelf and waters of Vietnam.
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| Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong conducted a meeting between the heads of the government-level delegations for negotiations on the Vietnam-China territorial and border issues in Hanoi on November 9, 2023. |
Negotiations to resolve border issues
In relation to some remaining disputed issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to maintain and enhance negotiation mechanisms with relevant countries, achieving notable results. Regarding the 16% of border lines that have not yet been demarcated and marked on the Vietnam - Cambodia land border, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has coordinated with relevant ministries and branches to actively and proactively promote negotiations with the other side, Cambodia, to find a satisfactory solution.
By upholding the principle of resolving disputes through peaceful means and persistently striving for a fundamental, long-term solution based on international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, Vietnam has maintained and promoted various negotiation mechanisms on maritime issues with other countries. These mechanisms include negotiations with China within the framework of the Working Group on cooperation in less sensitive sea-related fields, the Working Group on the sea area beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin, maritime negotiations with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Additionally, Vietnam and ASEAN countries maintain a unified stance on the East Sea, together with other ASEAN members and China actively and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and promote negotiations and formulate the content of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
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| Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Border Committee, presides over the International Seminar on laws on territorial boundaries held in Hanoi, September 2023. |
Socio-economic development, border exchanges, and international cooperation
In addition to endeavors aimed at resolving border issues, a noteworthy achievement is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ significant and effective contribution to the national master planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision extending to 2050. This plan, approved by the National Assembly in 2023, has played a pivotal role in guiding the country’s socio-economic development, particularly in border areas and islands.
Simultaneously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains close coordination with ministries, departments, and branches, supporting border localities in the opening, recognition, and upgrading of border gates, specialized roads for goods transportation, and the development of infrastructure and traffic connections in border areas. The swift resolution of difficulties, facilitation of customs clearance for goods, and export of agricultural products are prioritized. The modernization of border management and development, coupled with the operation of digital border gates and research into smart border gate cooperation, have yielded initial efficiencies in cross-border import and export of goods.
In the realm of border tourism development, a notable milestone has been the official pilot of the Ban Gioc (Vietnam) - Duc Thien waterfall landscape area (Vietnam-China) on September 15, 2023, contributing significantly to tourism cooperation, enhancing friendly exchanges between the two peoples, and furthering the development and deepening of Vietnam-China relations.
At sea, the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045, has driven active engagement and expanded international cooperation in the maritime domain. Collaborative efforts with countries such as India, France, Australia, and others with similar interests have actively contributed to ensuring energy security, food security, and safeguarding the island sovereignty of the country.
Moreover, active participation in regional and international forums on seas and oceans, proactive research, and involvement in international treaties on the sea, signing of maritime cooperation projects and programs, all contribute to the development of the marine economy, fortification of friendship, building trust, establishing positive coordination mechanisms in management cooperation, ensuring safety and security at sea, and creating a conducive environment to fulfill the goal of making Vietnam a prosperous and strong maritime nation.
Information and communication work
Through extensive efforts in information and communication across various innovative formats, officials, party members, and the populace both at home and broad have cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the policies and resolutions by the Party and State concerning territorial border issues. Our principled stance garners support from numerous international partners and friends. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has spearheaded various communication initiatives, law dissemination campaigns related to territorial borders, and training programs aimed at enhancing border management capacity.
These endeavors have significantly contributed to deepening public understanding and awareness of the construction, management, and safeguarding of territorial borders. Examples include conferences for disseminating policies and laws to village elders and notable village chiefs on both sides of the Vietnam-Laos border in December 2022, as well as international seminars celebrating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the 1982 UNCLOS, a decade since the promulgation of Vietnam’s Sea Law, and two decades since the enactment of the National Border Law.
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| Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu delivered a speech at the conference to disseminate policies and laws for village chiefs of Vietnam-Laos border, December 6, 2022. |
It can be affirmed that since the 31st Diplomatic Conference until now, border and territorial work has consistently made positive contributions, fostering friendly and practical relations with other countries and effectively implementing the foreign policy proposed at the 13th Party Congress. These efforts have significantly enhanced Vietnam’s position and reputation in the international arena.
In the face of numerous uncertainties and challenges globally and regionally, continued effective management and protection of territorial borders, along with harnessing the potential for development in border areas, seas, and islands, are imperative for serving the cause of national construction and development.
To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with other ministries, branches, and localities, must undertake several tasks, including: (i) comprehensively grasping and earnestly implementing the views and policies of the Party and State on national borders and territory; enhancing the effectiveness of border management coordination mechanisms; (ii) promptly addressing border-related issues; (iii) responding effectively, creatively, and flexibly to emerging challenges and issues in border areas and at sea; (iv) continuously improving the system of legal documents on border management; (v) further promoting friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation between our border localities and those of neighboring countries; (vi) undertaking effective information and communication efforts to consolidate public trust in the Party and State, thereby creating favorable conditions for the implementation of guidelines and policies on territorial borders.
To promptly achieve these objectives, it is crucial to foster synchronous and seamless coordination among ministries, branches, localities, agencies, and forces operating on the border. This coordination should closely adhere to the specific principles, directions, and goals outlined at the 13th Party Congress, leveraging favorable conditions to expedite the resolution and management of border and territorial issues. Simultaneously, this collaborative effort should prioritize fostering cooperation for socio-economic development.
