Vietnam requests China adhere to Boundary Delimitation Agreement in the Gulf of Tonkin: Spokesperson
WVR/VNA - 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 Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang on March 14, 2024.
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| Foreign Ministry’s Sokesperson Pham Thu Hang at the Ministry's regular press conference in Hanoi on March 14, 2024. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
At the Ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on Thursday afternoon, in response to reporters’ question regarding China's announcement of the baseline in the Gulf of Tonkin, Spokesperson Hang noted that Vietnam and China are the sole states bordering the Gulf of Tonkin. The two States signed the Agreement on the Delimitation of the Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Tonkin on 25 December 2000, which entered into force since 30 June 2004.
Vietnam holds that coastal states are obligated to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 (UNCLOS) in establishing their baselines for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea, and ensure that those baselines do not affect the legitimate rights and interests of other States, including the freedom of navigation and the transit of passage through straits used for international navigation in accordance with the UNCLOS, Spokesperson Hang said.
"Vietnam has exchanged views with China on this issue, and will continue to do so in the spirit of friendship, understanding and mutual respect. Vietnam calls on China to respect and comply with the 2000 Agreement on the Delimitation of the Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf between the two countries in the Gulf of Tonkin, and the UNCLOS. Viet Nam reserves all rights and legal interests under international law and reiterates its position expressed in the Statement dated 6 June 1996 of the Government of Viet Nam regarding the Declaration dated 15 May 1996 of the Chinese Government on the baselines for measuring the breadth of China’s territorial sea", the Spokesperson said.
"In every diplomatic relationship, including between Vietnam and China, the differences between the two countries will be discussed," Spokesperson Hang noted, in response to whether the new announcement from China will affect bilateral cooperation in general and the gulf agreement in particular. Vietnam has been and will continue exchanging viewpoints with China regarding this issue, in the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding and mutual respect, she reiterated.
The Gulf of Tonkin borders both Vietnam and China, with an area of 126,250sq.km. The body of water is considered to hold great significance to both countries’ security and defence along with economic development, given its abundant fisheries resources and oil and gas reserves. The two countries have attached importance to the management and exploration of the area.
The Vietam-China Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreement in the Gulf of Tonkin, composed of 11 articles, is a culmination of nine years of talks between the two sides. The Agreement is based on principles such as mutual respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, mutual benefit, and the strengthening of traditional friendship and neighbourly relations. It aims to uphold stability and promote the development of the Gulf region.
(Source: WVR/VNA)
