Q: Premier Pham Van Khai of Viet Nam is now visiting China. Could you brief us on the progress of the Sino-Vietnamese border negotiations?


A: Since the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Viet Nam in 1991, the two sides have dedicated themselves to the settlement of border issues between the two countries through peaceful negotiations. The two countries formally signed the Sino- Viet Namese land border treaty on 30 December last year. At present, both sides are speeding up their efforts in negotiating the demarcation of Beibu Gulf and trying to work out a solution within this year. At the same time both sides agree to continue the negotiation mechanism on maritime issues so as to keep the peace and stability on the sea.