China and Vietnam are to accelerate oil and gas exploration and extraction in border waters of the Beibu Gulf, according to a joint statement released on Thursday evening.

The statement highlights that the Vietnamese leader Nong Duc Manh's visit to China from August 22 to 26 has culminated in a series of agreements on borders, trade, investment, loans and sub-regional economic areas between the two countries.

On border issues, both sides speak positively of joint naval patrols and the implementation of border and fishing treaties in the Beibu Gulf, which separates northern Vietnam from southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guangdong and Hainan provinces.

The two countries agreed to steadily advance negotiations on settling borders in the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf and actively discuss joint development of the area.

They also agreed to abide by the consensus reached by their leaders and continue consultations on issues concerning the South China Sea, where they agreed to maintain stability and study and discuss joint development and cooperation.

Both countries agreed to accelerate land border surveys and erection of mere stones, pledging to complete the work and sign a new border control document by 2008.

On the other hand, the two countries pledged to actively encourage and support enterprises to develop long-term cooperation in infrastructure, human resources, energy and mineral processing.

Other agreements signed include those in relation to economic and technological cooperation, as well as Chinese loans for the construction of a coal-fired power plant in northern Vietnam.

The two countries vowed to step up efforts to set up sub-regional economic areas, including the China-ASEAN free trade zone and economic corridors along the Mekong River.

Vietnam reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China policy and support for China's reunification. "Vietnam is diametrically opposed to any separatist activities for 'Taiwan independence'."

Vietnam voiced full understanding and support for the passage of China's Anti-Secession Law and welcomed moves toward reconciliation across the Taiwan Straits.

"Vietnam will have nothing but unofficial trade and economic contact with Taiwan and will never ever develop official links with Taiwan."

The two countries agreed to maintain the tradition of high-level exchange. China is the first country that Nong Duc Manh visited since he was reelected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party in April.

Nong has invited President Hu Jintao to visit Vietnam and to attend the unofficial meeting of APEC leaders in November, an invitation that Hu, also the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has accepted.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2006)