Philippines, Vietnam to jointly explore South China Sea
VIETNAM and the Philippines, rival claimants to the Spratly island chain, are to conduct joint scientific research in the South China Sea next month, the foreign office said Monday.
The expedition will take marine science experts from both countries to some 26 marine stations in the South China Sea for a series of studies in the area from April 6 to 9, it said.
The expedition is "designed to advance the scientific aspect of marine research and encourage broader participation among countries" of principles laid out by the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention, it added.
The experts will board a ship owned by the Philippines' national mapping agency to study areas from Manila's coast to Nha Trang in Vietnam, the foreign office said.
It did not say whether the expedition would pass near the disputed Spratlys, a potentially rich chain of islets and atolls on the South China Sea.
Apart from the Philippines and Vietnam, the Spratlys are also being claimed by China,
Agence France Presse - March 07, 2005.
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