Vietnam lawmakers ratify China sea border pact 2004-06-15


HANOI, June 15 (Reuters) Vietnamese legislators today ratified a border agreement with China to delineate waters in the disputed Tonkin Gulf in a bid to improve ties with their giant neighbour.

Territorial disputes have been a long running source of tension in the relationship between the two communist states and historic foes.

''Vietnam reaffirmed its resolve, together with China, to maintain the long-term stability of the demarcation lines in the Tonkin Gulf,'' said a representative of the National Assembly who read out the announcement on national television.

''This will contribute to the strengthening of the traditional solidarity relationship between the two nations on the basis of respect for sovereignty and independence and territorial integrity,'' he added.

The two countries signed the Tonkin Gulf delineation agreement that covers the demarcation of territorial waters, exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf in December 2000.

However, enforcement of the treaty was delayed due to ratification by the legislatures of each country. China's parliament is expected to ratify the agreement this month.

In May, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and his counterpart Premier Wen Jiabao endorsed a joint initiative to build three ''economic corridors'', one of which is along the coast of the Tonkin Gulf, to boost trade.

However, troubles remain unresolved in other areas of the South China Sea including the Paracel and Spratly archipelagoes, disputed areas believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

In March, China accused Vietnam of infringing on its sovereignty by sending a tour group to the disputed Spratly Islands, ratcheting up tensions between the neighbours.

Vietnam and China claim the Spratlys in their entirety.

Their rival claims are often an irritant in relations.

Despite their ideological and cultural similarities, Vietnam and China have had testy relations for 2,000 years.

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Vietnam ratifies Chinese sea border
Vietnam ratifies Chinese sea border

Vietnam's national assembly has ratified an agreement with China defining their sea borders in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The assembly approved a resolution ratifying the bilateral agreement with 85 per cent of deputies voting for it.

The two sides signed an accord in December 2000 setting out their sea borders in the Gulf of Tonkin but until now it has not been ratified by either side.

China invaded Vietnam in February 1979, following Hanoi's intervention in Cambodia to oust Beijing's Khmer Rouge allies.

They came to blows again in 1988 over the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

However, the two countries normalised relations in 1991 and ties have improved since then, despite another brief naval clash near the Spratlys in 1992.


15/06/2004 22:29:54 | ABC Radio Australia News

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1132580.htm