Viet Nam, China discuss sea area off Tonkin Gulf at negotiations

HA NOI (VNS)— Experts from Viet Nam and China discussed the sea area off the Tonkin Gulf during the second expert-level negotiations round in Beijing this week.

In a friendly, frank and constructive atmosphere, both parties affirmed their resolve to make efforts to push forward negotiations on the basis of the principles defined in the "Agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet and China" signed last October, and accelerate the demarcation of the sea area beyond the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf, and discussed co-operation measures for joint development in the area.

The two sides agreed that the guiding principles for the demarcation of the area should be based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and related international treaties.

They also agreed to organise a third round of negotiations in the first half of 2013 in Viet Nam. — VNS