• Vietnam, China discuss bilateral ties and border issues

The committee hailed the close cooperation between relevant ministries, branches and border localities of the two countries in implementing the Protocol on Border Demarcation and Marker Placement, the Agreement on Border Management Regulations, the Agreement on Border Gates and Border Gate Management as well as the committee’s decisions.

The two sides discussed an orientation for future border management and reached consensus on important issues, including urgent completion of necessary procedures to open the bridge border gate No. 2 of the Lao Cai-Hekou international border gate, and upgrading and opening a number of pairs of border gates.

They agreed to accelerate the establishment of a border gate communication mechanism between the two countries and the negotiation for the agreement to facilitate free travel of ships at the mouth of Bac Luan river and the agreement on tourism development cooperation at Ban Gioc waterfalls while closely coordinating in maintaining and protecting border security and fighting illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug smuggling and transnational crime.

The two sides also agreed to increase information and education work for people living in border areas to raise their awareness of the common border line.

The meeting took place in a friendly and straightforward atmosphere, contributing to building the Vietnam-China land border line into a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

The committee’s third session is scheduled to take place in Beijing in the fourth quarter of this year.