China and Vietnam have launched a joint inspection of a section of the waters of the South China Sea amid the ongoing territorial dispute between the two countries and other claimants.

The two nations have conflicting claims on several islands and reefs specifically on the waters outside the Beibu Gulf.

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With the launch, Chinese and Vietnamese geological experts will inspect the waters, terrain  and geological conditions of the Beibu Gulf and will employ China's Fendou No. 5 ocean research vessel in carrying out the inspection.

Xinhua reported that the area under inspection is rich in maritime resources with the two nations earning profits from fishing.

Reports indicate the Beibu Gulf can be likened to a half-closed bay with China and Vietnam territories surrounding it. The two nations have a common fishing area and have signed a demarcation line agreement as well as maritime cooperation agreement in 2000.

The joint inspection was agreed upon by both the governments of China and Vietnam after Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to the country last month.

In a joint statement released by the two leaders after the visit, they said that the joint launch inspection is the start of a productive maritime cooperation between the two nations.

Since 2012, the two countries have been negotiating on ways to demarcate the waters outside of the Beibu Gulf but this has yet to be resolved.

Reports said the launch inspection was the product of the improving bilateral relations of China and Vietnam

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the inspection only goes to show that the two countries are willing and committed to resolve their maritime issues in an appropriate manner.

"The two sides can clarify the resources and geology around the waters through joint inspection in order to lay a sound foundation for demarcation and joint development of the waters outside the mouth of the gulf." the Foreign Ministry said.

TagsChina and Vietnam joint inspection, Beibu Gulf, maritime cooperation, China-Vietnam bilateral relations