Beijing, Hanoi vow to prevent disputes from derailing ties

Agricultural authorities from Beijing and Hanoi agreed on Wednesday to establish a fishery emergency hotline, as the leaders of the two countries vowed to prevent disputes from derailing ties.

On his first official trip to China, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and President Xi Jinping also witnessed the signing of another nine agreements in areas including defense, economy and public diplomacy.

Analysts said there were concrete results for both leaders, which laid a sound foundation for bilateral ties and an early resolution of disputes.

Amid media limelight and public attention, Sang started his three-day China visit - the first by a Vietnamese leader since the new Chinese leadership was unveiled in March - on Wednesday.

Beijing placed a great emphasis on the visit. The welcoming ceremony was marked with a 21-gun salute outside the Great Hall of the People, where the Vietnamese leader was also greeted by Chinese elementary school students.

The talks were also extended for a frank discussion, during which both sides agreed to ensure stability in the South China Sea and make sure disputes do not detract from overall diplomatic ties.

Xi said the key for a political resolution of the South China Sea issue "lies in securing stability and advancing cooperation". Both sides should stick to reconciliation rather than any moves that may complicate or internationalize the issue, he added.

Sang said Hanoi yearns to enhance neighborly friendship, "boost mutual trust and properly handle disputes".

"With the establishment of the fishery hotline, each side should be informed of any detainment or treatment by the other side involving fishermen or fishing boats within 48 hours," said Wang Ying, director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The agreement did not mention territorial issues, and "it aims to facilitate working practices and is conducive for dealing with emergencies", Wang said.

China and Vietnam have seen their ties overshadowed by accidental maritime confrontations, which in some cases were not reported in a timely manner to the other side.

"The agreement is a promise, which needs a good implementation," Wang said.

Observers said the overall relationship between the two neighbors is expanding, the only exception being the South China Sea issue - in which both sides are endeavoring to make progress.

Li Guoqiang, deputy director of the Center for Chinese Borderland History and Geography at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the fishery hotline was "a good start" for solving differences and a wider range of cooperation.

"The hotline is a transitional measure, and both sides have a long way to go for the resolution of territorial disputes," Li said.

In 2011, Beijing and Vietnam signed the Agreement on Basic Principles Guiding the Settlement of Maritime Issues, laying a foundation for friendly consultation on and a proper solution to the maritime issues.

The fruits

Border defense, economy and people-to-people exchanges were also covered by a series of documents and agreements signed during the visit, including an action plan for implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Qi Jianguo, a former Chinese ambassador to Vietnam, said the achievements show a sound basis for bilateral relationships, which depend on "a good control of disputed issues".

"Both sides should accumulate mutual trust for an early resolution of relevant issues," Qi said.

High-ranking bilateral contacts at different levels have gathered momentum in recent years.

In 2012, the two ministries of defense conducted the Sixth Defense Consultation.

On March 21, Vietnam's Party general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Xi Jinping, China's Party chief, talked on a hotline for the first time.

Vice-Premier Ma Kai met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh in early June in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, stressing the fundamental interests of both countries to increase pragmatic cooperation and seek common prosperity.

China is Vietnam's biggest trading partner, while Vietnam is the fifth-largest trading partner to China among the ASEAN countries.

Contact the writer at wujiao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 06/20/2013 page4)