The border guards of Vietnam and China on Saturday take part in a joint border patrol as part of a friendly exchange between Vietnamese and Chinese armies in the northern border province of Lao Cai.

The exchange was organized for the second time so far on Friday and Saturday and included the joint patrol between the border forces of the two countries, the inauguration of the Vietnam – China Culture and Friendship House in Muong Khuong District (Lao Cai), and a visit to the Ban Lau border post in Muong Khuong by the ministers of defense of the two sides.

The patrol, joined by the Vietnamese border guards of Ban Lau and the Chinese border guards of Hekou (Yunnan), took place in the presence of Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of Defense of Vietnam, and Chang Wanquan, Minister of Defense of China, at border milestone No. 112 in Ban Lau Commune, Muong Khuong.

The purpose of the joint patrol was to ensure respect for the independence and sovereignty of both sides following their provisions on land border management, said Colonel Nguyen Phi Khanh, head of the border post of Ban Lau.

The main task of the patrol was inspecting the systems of border milestones and exchanging information on the management and protection of borders so that the two sides can deal with new developments there, if any, Col. Khanh added.

Minister Thanh asked the border guards of the two countries to unite and coordinate for the security and order of the border area, making it more convenient for the Vietnamese and Chinese people living there to improve their livelihood and thus strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries.

The borderline of Vietnam must be one for unity, friendship, cooperation, and development, which is a positive factor in the strategic partnership between the two nations, he added.

On the same day, the Vietnamese and Chinese ministers of defense attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Vietnam – China Culture and Friendship House in Muong Khuong District.

They also partook in a signing ceremony for the partnership between two hamlets of Muong Khuong District and their Chinese counterparts in Hekou.

Vietnam and China signed a protocol on border demarcation and landmark planting, an agreement on land border management, and another agreement on land border gate management on November 18, 2009, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!