China, Vietnam reaffirm pledge to work together on South China Sea ‘code of conduct’

Name: Xi Jinping says China will build stable supply chain with Vietnam
Uploaded: 2023-06-30T14:00:14.000Z
Duration: 1 min 42 s
Description: Xi Jinping says China will build stable supply chain with Vietnam

Pledges on ‘guiding the settlement of sea-related issues’ follow high-profile visit to China by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh

Ties between the Communist-run, ideologically close countries have become increasingly fraught over South China Sea disputes and the US-China rivalry

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Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang applaud the signing of an agreement at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Laura Zhou

Published: 10:00pm, 30 Jun 2023Updated: 11:46pm, 30 Jun 2023

China and Vietnam have agreed to cooperate on an “effective code of conduct in the South China Sea” and “low sensitivity” marine areas, in the latest show of strong ties between the Asian neighbours despite territorial disputes.

In a joint statement following a high-profile visit to China by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the two sides reaffirmed their pledge to work together to reach “a substantive and effective code of conduct in the South China Sea that is consistent with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, at an early date”.

“The two sides will seriously [realise common ground] on guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, satisfactorily control disagreements at sea, foster maritime cooperation and work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the statement released on Friday said.

Calling each other a foreign policy priority, the neighbours also pledged to deepen cooperation on connectivity, cross-border infrastructure, key mineral sectors and supply chains.

“Vietnam pledges a favourable business climate for Chinese enterprises investing in the country,” the statement added.

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Xi Jinping says China will build stable supply chain with Vietnam

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea through what it calls its historical “nine-dash line”, while Hanoi is among several regional claimants to the Paracel and Spratly Islands. The dispute often gives rise to tense stand-offs at sea.