Cao Bằng to host VN-China border defence friendship exchange

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam-China border defence friendship exchange will take place in Cao Bằng Province and China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from November 19-21.

The information was announced at a press conference held by the Ministry of Defence in Hà Nội on Wednesday. Defence Minister Ngô Xuân Lịch will lead the Vietnamese delegation to the event, while the Chinese delegation will be led by his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe.

Major General Nguyễn Văn Đức, director general of the Department of Information and Training under the General Department of Politics of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA), said that the exchange aimed to build friendship and solidarity among local authorities, people and border protection forces in the two countries, promoting political trust, bilateral relations and ties between the two armies.

It would contribute to building a shared border of peace, friendship, stability and long-term development, and counteract allegations that distort the Việt Nam-China relationship, he added.

The exchange would include a welcome ceremony for the two countries’ defence delegates, a ceremony to salute demarcation markers, a joint patrol on the border river and a meeting to review the event’s organisation over the past five years.

Seminars, cultural and sporting exchanges, a ceremony to launch a centre for cultural exchange and tourism promotion at the Tà Lùng international border gate, and a joint drill on disaster and disease relief would also be included in the event. — Khanh