VietNamNet Bridge – The two sides’ commitment to joint cooperation in oil and gas exploitation in the Tokin Gulf is just for their economic benefits, not related to any third nation.

The 4th amendment to the agreement between the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on joint offshore exploration in the Gulf of Tonkin is a follow-up to the oil and gas exploitation agreements signed since 2006.

A Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reporter accompanying President Truong Tan Sang’s delegation to China has interviewed PVN General Director Do Van Hau about the agreement content.

Could you please elaborate on the fourth amendment to the oil and gas exploitation agreement between the PVN and CNOOC?

The cooperation agreement signed by the PVN and CNOOC for the first time in 2006 is in line with the two countries’ Tonkin Gulf Demarcation Agreement.

The amendment to the agreement has been extended for three times and the fourth time will be valid until 2016.

Under the fourth amendment, Vietnam and China have agreed to conduct oil and gas exploitation in the Tokin Gulf’s sea areas within the demarcation line of the two nations. Once oil and gas are detected, both sides will work together on mutual exploitation cooperation.

They have already expanded the joint exploitation field in the Tokin Gulf by three times since the first agreement was signed in 2006.

Is there any sensitive issue in the agreement?

As the agreement is part of the Tonkin Gulf Demarcation Agreement, it will have no impact on the national sovereignty of each country in the Tokin Gulf.

It is considered as part of economic cooperation in terms of joint oil and gas exploration and exploitation.

What is the difference between this and other agreements on oil and gas exploration and exploitation Vietnam has signed with other nations?

This agreement is different as the other agreements between Vietnam and other countries are implemented in sea areas fully belonging to Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty. Moreover, cooperation is just between the two oil and gas groups in a shared offshore area overlapped by sea boundaries.

Can you please tell us about the significance of the agreement?

The agreement will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the PVN and CNOOC as well as mutual understanding between Vietnam and China.

The fact is that the two groups have cooperated for years on the basis of respect for mutual interests and national sovereignty.

***Vietnam, China sign 10 cooperation documents

During the State-level visit to China from June 19-21, President Truong Tan Sang and his Chinese counterpart witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation documents aimed at making a breakthrough in promoting bilateral ties.

These documents include:

- A joint plan of action between Governments of Vietnam and China on implementing the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

- A border defence cooperation agreement between the two Ministries of Defence.

- An agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture on the establishment of a hot line on unexpected incidences in fishing operations at sea.

- A framework agreement between the two governments on China’s provision of preferential credit worth RMB 320 million for Vietnam’s railway information system.

- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Governments on establishing a cultural centre in each country.

- The working statutes of the Vietnam -China Joint Committee on Land Border Gate Management.

- An agreement between the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on cooperation in the field of animal and plant quarantine in import-export.

- A cooperation plan between the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and China’s People’s External Friendship Association in the 2013-2017 period.

- An agreement on preferential buyer’s credit worth US$45 million for the Ninh Binh Fine Coal-based Urea Plant project.

and the 4th amendment to an agreement between the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on the joint exploration in agreed offshore areas in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Source: VOV