The two sides worked together towards a unanimous agreement on all outstanding matters relating to the work of border demarcation and landmark planting.

They also agreed to send joint teams to conduct field trips and manage the work as well as to cooperate on any related matters to ensure that the task is completed on schedule, as agreed by the leaders of the two countries.

The 31^st chair-level meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held in Vietnam next month.

Cross-border cooperation promoted

Four Vietnamese northern border provinces have signed the minutes of their joint working groups’ first meeting with a neighbouring Chinese province, pledging to increase cross-border cooperation.

The joint working groups from the Vietnamese border provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Dien Bien and the Chinese province of Yunnan held their first meeting in Sa Pa resort, Lao Cai, on September 26-29 with a view to bolstering the stability and development of the two countries.

The minutes detailed the two sides’ discussions regarding the re-opening of border gates, and their continuing cooperation in various areas, including the economic, trade and border management.

The two sides have agreed to convene the second session in Yunnan province, China, in 2009.