The baseline is used to calculate the width of the territorial sea.

(Baonghean.vn) -Question 11. How is the baseline used to calculate the width of the territorial sea established?

Reply:The baseline used to calculate the width of the territorial sea (referred to as the baseline) is the basis for determining the width and limits of the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone (often called the EX-EQ), and the continental shelf. There are two methods for establishing the baseline system: straight baselines and conventional baselines.

Diagram of base points in 1982

Article 7 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates the method for establishing baselines as follows:

1. Where the coastline is indented or irregular, or where a chain of islands lies close to and runs along the coastline, the method of straight baselines connecting appropriate points may be used to draw the baseline for calculating the width of the territorial sea.

2. Where the coastline is extremely unstable due to a delta and other natural features, appropriate points may be chosen according to the furthest protruding low tide mark, and even if the low tide mark subsequently shifts inland, the baselines already drawn shall remain in effect until the coastal States amend them in accordance with the Convention.

3. The baseline must not deviate too far from the general direction of the coastline, and the waters within these baselines must be sufficiently connected to the land to be placed under the regime of internal waters.

4. Straight baselines shall not be drawn to or from shoals that are sometimes above and sometimes below water, except where there are lighthouses or similar devices permanently above the water or where the drawing of such straight baselines has been generally accepted internationally.

5. Where the method of straight baseline delineation is applied pursuant to paragraph 1, when determining certain baseline segments, consideration may be given to the specific economic interests of that area whose practice and importance have been clearly demonstrated by a long course of use.

6. The method of straight baselines applied by a State shall not cause the territorial sea of ​​another State to be separated from the high seas or an exclusive economic zone.

Article 8 of the Vietnamese Law of the Sea stipulates: "The baseline used to calculate the width of Vietnam's territorial sea is the straight baseline that has been announced by the Government. The Government shall determine and announce the baseline in areas where no baseline exists after approval by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly."

According to this regulation, the Vietnamese Government's Declaration of November 12, 1982, remains in effect. Accordingly, "the baseline used to calculate the width of the territorial sea of ​​mainland Vietnam is a broken line connecting point A0 (located on the line connecting Tho Chu Island of Vietnam to Polo Wai Island of Cambodia) to point A11 (Con Co Island, Quang Tri Province) with coordinates listed in the appendix attached to this Declaration."

In accordance with Article 8 of the Vietnamese Law of the Sea, Vietnam needs to continue to publish additional sections of its baseline that are still incomplete in the future.

According to the Q&A on Vietnam's Law of the Sea

(To be continued)