description Beibu Gulf Overview
Beibu Gulf is the Chinese name for the semi-enclosed gulf internationally known as the Gulf of Tonkin. It lies off southern China and northern Vietnam, between the Guangxi coast and Vietnam to the west and Hainan Island to the east, and forms part of the northwestern South China Sea. The gulf supports fisheries, ports, shipping, and offshore economic activity and is geographically important to both China and Vietnam.
help Beibu Gulf FAQ
Is the Gulf of Tonkin the same body of water as Beibu Gulf?
Yes. Beibu Gulf is the Chinese name for what is internationally known as the Gulf of Tonkin. It is a semi-enclosed arm of the South China Sea bounded by China's Guangxi coast to the north, Vietnam to the west, and China's Hainan Island to the east.
What happened in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964?
In August 1964, the U.S. reported naval clashes with North Vietnamese vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin. The subsequent Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, passed by Congress, authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam without a formal declaration of war.
Do China and Vietnam have a maritime boundary in the Beibu Gulf?
Yes. China and Vietnam signed a boundary delimitation agreement for the Beibu Gulf in December 2000, which entered into force in 2004. It was one of the relatively successful maritime boundary agreements between the two countries.
What major ports lie along the Beibu Gulf coast?
Haiphong in Vietnam is the principal Vietnamese port on the gulf, while Fangchenggang and Beihai are major Chinese ports on the Guangxi coast. The gulf also contains economically significant fishing grounds and offshore oil and gas deposits.
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