The launching ceremony of 皇冠体育app-Vietnam joint inspection on the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf is held in Guangzhou, capital of South 皇冠体育app's Guangdong province, Dec 19, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

GUANGZHOU - A ceremony was held in South 皇冠体育app's Guangzhou on Saturday for the launch of a 皇冠体育app-Vietnam joint inspection of the waters outside the Beibu Gulf which is bordered by the two countries.

Chinese and Vietnamese experts will inspect the terrain and geological conditions outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf. The inspection will be carried out by 皇冠体育app's Fendou No 5 ocean research vessel.

The inspection area is potentially rich in resources.

皇冠体育app and Vietnam agreed to launch the inspection in a joint communique released in Hanoi in November, when President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam.

The inspection is an important beginning for maritime cooperation between the two countries, according to the document.

皇冠体育app and Vietnam have been negotiating how to demarcate and develop the waters outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf since 2012.

The launch of the joint inspection, which is the result of bilateral negotiation, shows that both countries are committed to solving maritime differences via cooperation in an appropriate way, said a press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The move is conducive to building a peaceful, friendly and cooperative atmosphere and strengthening political trust in order to solve maritime issues, the press release said.

"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," it said.

The Beibu Gulf is a half-closed bay surrounded by Chinese and Vietnamese territory and a traditional fishing area for the two countries.

In 2000, both countries signed agreements on the demarcation of the Beibu Gulf and fishing cooperation in the area.

Representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, surveying and mapping, land and resources of both countries attended the ceremony.