Vietnam, China officially demarcate border

LANG SON, Vietnam, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The final demarcation of the border between China and Vietnam will help ensure peace and stability between the two countries, officials said Monday.

In ceremonies at the Huu Nghi (Friendship) border gate near Lang Son Monday, Deputy Vietnamese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem said the official delineation of the border was an event of great historical significance in the countries' bilateral relations, the Voice of Vietnam reported.

"This is a vivid manifestation of the comprehensive and strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries," Khiem said. "It also delivers a message to the world that the relationship between Vietnam and China is developing well."

China's foreign ministry issued a statement saying the completion of the demarcation would be conducive to peace and stability, promote trade and exchanges and foster the strategic partnership between the two countries, Xinhua, the state-owned Chinese news agency, reported.

China and Vietnam began negotiations on officially demarcating the 800-mile border in the 1990s and started work on it in 2001, Xinhua said.