Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei (2nd L) and his Vietnamese counterpart Vu Dung (1st R) attend a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Dec. 31, 2008. China and Vietnam on Wednesday reached an agreement on the remaining issues related to the two countries' land boundary survey. The agreement achieved the goal set by leaders of China and Vietnam to complete the survey and the erection of boundary markers within this year. [Huang Haimin/Xinhua]

China and Vietnam have completed the work of land border demarcation and erecting land border markers along the entire length of their land borders, according to a joint statement Wednesday.

The joint statement was issued during talks between heads of the government delegations of China and Vietnam on border issues between the two countries held on Dec. 28-31.

China and Vietnam exchanged views on solving all remaining problems on land border demarcation and erecting land border markers between the two countries and reached agreement in accordance with the 1999 China-Vietnam land boundary treaty, taking into consideration the fundamental interests of the two peoples with the development of traditional bilateral friendly ties as the starting point, the statement said.

The outcome is achieved under the direct care and direction of leaders of the two countries. It is also the result of concerted efforts of government delegations of the two countries, experts, relevant departments and provinces along the borders, it added.

The completion of the land border demarcation along the entire length of China-Vietnam land border is a major event of historical significance in their relations.

It will bring new opportunities to the respective development of each country and is of particular importance to create conditions for border provinces in the two countries to expand cooperation, develop economy and strengthen friendly exchanges, the statement said.

It will also lay a solid foundation to build the border area between China and Vietnam into a bond of long-term peace, friendliness and stability, it added.

The successful completion of the work of land border demarcation and erecting land border markers constitutes a vivid demonstration of the all-round strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Vietnam which is developing based on the 16-word principle and four-good spirit, the statement said.

China and Vietnam also agreed to make continued efforts on closer collaboration and cooperation to safeguard peace, stability and common development in the border area of the two countries.

The two countries will hold a ceremony at a proper time to celebrate the successful completion of the work of land border demarcation and erecting land border markers.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2009)