The top legislature today ratified a treaty defining the point where the national borders of China, Vietnam, and Laos meet.

The treaty, which was signed last October by the foreign ministries of the three countries, says the tri-border junction lies on the Shiceng Dashan Mountain.

The three countries plan to erect a boundary stone at the point and they have agreed that the location, shape, and specifications of the stone must not be changed without prior agreement, according to the treaty, passed at the 26th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

No other boundary stones should be erected at the point, the treaty says.

The NPC Standing Committee approved China's bilateral boundary treaty with Vietnam in 1991 and with Laos in 2000.

The legislature said the new treaty will help maintain stability in the border area and strengthen China's relations with Vietnam and Laos.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2007)