Vietnamese and Chinese coast guards successfully conducted a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin from December 22 to December 23 as a contribution to the waters of peace, stability, and mutually beneficial co-operation. 

Vietnamese coast guard is joined by their Chinese counterparts to
successfully conduct a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin

The joint inspection came following the Vietnam-China agreement on fishery co-operation in the Gulf of Tonkin expiring on June 30 this year, with the aim of ensuring that normal fishing activities continue while both nations hold negotiations aimed at boosting co-operation content for the following period.

The patrol targeted a total of 13 points spanning 255.5 nautical miles throughout the sea in areas adjacent to the demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin.

As initially planned, the coast guards are scheduled to patrol their own waters and then inform each other about violations which are discovered. However, unfavourable weather conditions have impeded their efforts to inspect vessels which operate in the targeted points.

Despite the Vietnam-China agreement on fishery co-operation now being invalid, both countries will continue to seriously monitor the maritime boundary agreement in the Gulf of Tonkin.  

Through the monthly exchange of information regarding violations by fishing boats, both sides have successfully raised awareness among their fishermen regarding relevant laws and regulations that are set out in the maritime boundary agreement in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The joint patrol served to enforce international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Vietnam-China agreement on the delimitation of the territorial seas. This is in addition to exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in the Gulf of Tonkin as signed by the two nations on December 25, 2000.

Most notably, it has also played an important role in preserving maritime resources in the waters whilst simultaneously ensuring sustainable exploitation, making laws more known among fishermen while operating at sea, thereby promoting traditional solidarity, neighbourliness, and friendship between the two countries. Indeed, efforts have consolidated confidence and created friendly and open relations between the coast guards and peoples of both sides.