From 2001 to 2010

It could be said that the cooperation between Vietnam and China in this period has been raised to new heights, and indeed, Vietnam-China relations have grown at best since the normalization (Dinh, 2002). High-level visits and annual meetings are an unwritten rule, but it is an important basis for the two countries and the two Parties in promoting the mutual understanding, in order to remove the gaps in their relationship (Dinh, 2002). In the meetings, the two sides agreed on the common principles of cooperation in the relationship between the two countries: friendship and friendly neighbours based on five principles of peaceful coexistence, the settlement of disputes need to be passed by negotiations and peaceful means, the relationship between the two countries is not aimed at a third country and does not affect the relations of each country with other countries. These things have shown that the relationship between the two countries was restored and developed on the needs and interests of each country in accordance with the policies and diplomatic lines of each country. As a result, Vietnam-China bilateral relations are strengthened in all fields.

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The conspicuous issues in the relationship between the two countries have basically progressed with the signed agreements. In fact, the agreements were signed through negotiations that helped the two counties to address two of the three remaining issues relating to territory and border, then toward the process of landmark installation. At the same time, both agreed to speed up this process so that by 2008 they would have completed the demarcation and marker planting across the land border and would have signed new document on border management regulations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2005), laying the foundations for regional securities and securities of the two countries. Besides, on cooperation in the Tonkin Gulf, the two navies conducted joint sea patrols. It could be said that this is a joint effort of the two sides in solving the problem by peaceful and negotiating method. It would also be a precedent for the two sides to tackle other complex issues in the future.

The leaders of the two countries have common perceptions on many bilateral and international issues. During the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam visit to China in late November and early December 2001, the two sides issued a joint statement recalling the 16-word guideline, fully understanding the objectives and mandates of the China-Vietnam Joint Statement December 2000. The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of China continue to maintain regular high-level meetings, creating new impetus for the development of the two countries' relations; further strengthening of friendly contacts and cooperation in various forms among sectors, mass organizations and localities of the two countries. During the visit of General Secretary Jiang Zemin in 2002, leaders of both sides gained a common perception in exchanging ideas on relevant issues: i.e., maintaining high-level meetings, expanding and deepening in economic cooperation, taking the spirit of long-term cooperation between the two countries to enlighten the two peoples,

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continuing negotiations on land border, demarcation points and fishery agreements, as well as enhancing cooperation and exchanging on diplomacy, defence, security and so on. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Jiang Zemin once said that it is especially important that the two sides insist on strengthening mutual trust. That is the basis of long-term stable development of relations between the two parties, two countries. At the same time, five recommendations related to bilateral cooperation were given. Firstly, it was necessary to continue to exchange the mutual visits between the two countries' high-level leaders. Secondly, it was necessary to constantly expand and deepen economic and trade cooperation. Thirdly, long-term friendship was needed to enlighten the people of the two countries, especially adolescents. Fourthly, it was necessary to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on border issues, accelerate the progress on land border and delimit the Tonkin Gulf. Fifthly, it was necessary to strengthen the exchange of experiences on party building and state management between the two parties and the two countries, to enhance the discussion, cooperation and coordination on international issues between the two countries in order to take the advantage for the development of each country.

The relationship is also based on the Four Good Principles of Secretary General, President Jiang Zemin in his visit to Vietnam: “good neighbourhood, good friends, good comrades, and good partners”. These principles purposely emphasized the mutual trust, mutual help, sympathy and reciprocity in order to grow together (Pham, 2002).

Another highlight of this period was the speech of General Secretary, President Hu Jintao during his visit to Vietnam from October 31 to November 2, 2005 at the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties. This was the first time Hu Jintao visited Vietnam as Secretary General and President of the People's Republic of China.

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Specially, this was also the first time a head of state of another country speaking at the Vietnamese parliament. Additionally, the two sides issued the Vietnam-China Joint Statement. This meant that the close co-operation between the two parties.

Another achievement for this period is that the regional security cooperation has also changed positively. Particularly, in July 2001, the Southeast Asia Regional Security Forum was held in Hanoi. Among regional issues, the Forum had reached an agreement on procedures aiming to help prevent conflicts which might explode into a widespread war. Accordingly, in which the Southeast Asia Regional Security Forum not only plays a role in building trust among member countries, but also officially has the right to participate in the settlement of bilateral or multilateral disputes in the region. Besides, China and ASEAN have jointly issued the "Declaration on Collaborative Cooperation in the field of non-traditional security", creating a new face for the two sides to cope with cross-border crimes: woman trafficking, illegal immigrant, pirates, terrorism, arms smuggling, money laundering, international economic crimes and cybercrime, etc... In addition, the South China Sea issue involving many countries in the region and the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea was also signed by the parties, including Vietnam and China. Moreover, multilateral cooperation is the basis of strengthening the confidence of Vietnam and China, promoting the existing relationship and reducing risks associated with maritime security.

In general, from the normalization until the present, political relations between Vietnam and China have undergone a quite long period with many significant achievements which helped develop stable relationship and build stronger basis so as to resolve the existing disputes. The political relationship of the two countries developed in the past period is also in line with the general situation of the two

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countries, meeting international and regional changes, bringing more development opportunities for both countries.