Vietnam and China sign cooperation agreements




Dec. 25 (VNA) -- A joint statement and four agreements for cooperation between Viet Nam and China were signed in Beijing today, Dec. 25.

The joint statement set the framework for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the new century. The agreements were: the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf Delineation Agreement signed by Viet Nam's Foreign Minister, Nguyen Dy Nien, and his Chinese counterpart, Tang Jiaxuan; an agreement for fishing cooperation in the Bac Bo Gulf, signed by Viet Nam's Minister of Fisheries, Ta Quang Ngoc, and Chinese Minister of Agriculture, Chen Yaobang; an agreement for cooperation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purpose, signed by Viet Nam's Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Hoang Van Huay, and China's Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Ma Congde; and an agreement for cooperation between the Viet Nam News Agency and China's Xinhua News Agency signed by General Directors of both agencies, Ho Tien Nghi and Tian Tongming.

Viet Nam's President Tran Duc Luong and China's President Jiang Zemin witnessed the signings which took place during President Tran Duc Luong's first day in Beijing as part of a five-day official visit.

In the evening, President Jiang Zemin gave a banquet in honour of President Tran Duc Luong and his entourage at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital.--VNA