Hanoi (VNA) – The annualVietnam-China deputy foreign ministers’ meeting took place in Nha Trang city inthe central province of Khanh Hoa between March 5 and 8, discussing bilateralties and border issues.

At the function, Deputy Foreign Minister LeHoai Trung and his Chinese counterpart Liu Zhenmin reviewed progress made inbilateral relations in the past time and discussed ways to boost cooperation,particularly the implementation of agreements and common conceptions reached byleaders of the two Parties and Governments, and the maintenance of peace,stability at sea.

The two sides agreed to coordinate to make preparationsfor high-ranking visits between the two countries in 2017, the 10th meeting of the steering committee for Vietnam-China cooperation, and exchangesbetween the two parties, parliaments and the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the ChinesePeople’s Political Consultative Conference, as well as exchanges in importantsectors such as diplomacy, defence-security and law enforcement.

The sides promised to encourage long-termpartnerships between their businesses and improve cooperation in the sectors oftransport, agriculture, environment-natural resources, and technology.

The two countries will also work closely inresponding to climate change, sustainably using shared water resources, includingthe Mekong River, while increasing people-to-people exchanges and mutuallybeneficial affiliation between localities.

Lauding the role of land border cooperationmechanisms between the two countries in maintaining border security and order,both sides agreed to continue to enforce legal documents on land border, opennew border gates and upgrade existing ones as agreed before, and applyfacilitation measures for customs clearance towards stimulating economic growthin border areas.

Regarding maritime issues, the two sidesreached a consensus on respecting agreements and common conceptions of leadersof the two Parties and countries, particularly the Vietnam-China agreement onbasic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues.

The two sides will make use of existingnegotiation and cooperation mechanisms to build trust; persevere in resolvingdisputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures and promote cooperation in linewith international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea (UNCLOS).

They agreed to fully and effectivelyimplement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) andwork with ASEAN member states in speeding up negotiations to finalise a Code ofConduct (COC) in the waters.

They also reached agreement on controllingsea disputes without taking any move that can complicate the situation in orderto maintain peace and security in the East Sea.

The Vietnamese delegation took the occasion toexpress the country’s position on recent complicated developments in the EastSea.-VNA