Hanoi (VNA) – Over thepast 15 years, the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) has work with other Vietnamese andChinese forces to materialise the Agreement on Fishery Cooperation in the Gulfof Tonkin between the two countries.

Major General Doan Bao Quyet,Deputy Commissar of the VCG, said the force has partnered with supervisionagencies to protect waters and oversee fishing activities in the waters underthe agreement.

While realising the agreement,the VCG has created the best possible conditions for fishermen of both sides towork at sea, the officer said.

The unit has worked ascoordinator between the two countries in supervising the implementation of thepact, and pushed ahead with enforcement by various methods, including bilateralconferences from central to grassroots levels and information exchanges.  
From 2006, Vietnam and Chinahave conducted 16 joint fishery patrols in the gulf, released young fishes intothe gulf to protect aquatic resources, held search and rescue drills, exchangedprofessional skills in maritime law enforcement, and organised exchangeprogrammes for young offices.

The VCG has also coordinatedwith press agencies and local authorities in communications work, aiming toraise public awareness about maritime laws, Quyet added.

At a scientific seminar held inthe northern province of Quang Ninh on March 31, participants said theagreement has helped stabilise security and order in the Gulf of Tonkin andbuild a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment between Vietnam and China.

According to Phung Duc Tien, VietnameseDeputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, after the agreement was signedin December 2000, Vietnamese ministries, agencies and localities joined handsto train about 55,000 fishermen and inspection forces, while rolling outprojects on the implementation of the document.

After 15 years ofimplementation, most of the licensed boats of the two sides have operated inline with regulations and under the supervision of competent forces, he said.

Yu Kangzhen, China’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,said thanks to the joint efforts, fishery production order in the waters hasbeen maintained.

Bilateral fishery cooperation has reaped remarkable achievements,contributing to maritime economic development and social stability, he noted.

Over the past 15 years, Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen’s awareness of laws,friendship between the two countries and economic profits generated by theagreement has improved, contributing to building the Tonkin Gulf into an areaof peace, friendship and long-term and sustainable cooperation, the seminarheard.-VNA