Sharing a land border exceeding 1,400 kilometers, Vietnam and China are closely linked geo-politically, economically, and socially. This creates an objective need for border peace and stability to safeguard territorial sovereignty and facilitate development. Consequently, defense and security cooperation, particularly in border management, has become a vital pillar in the bilateral relationship.
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Delegates pose for a commemorative photo at a seminar held within the framework of the Vietnam – China Young Officers Exchange Program in April, 2025. |
Vietnam and China's armed forces maintain multi-level delegation exchanges and effective cooperation mechanisms. Enhanced coordination between border guard, naval, and coast guard forces focuses on maritime management, crime prevention, and border socio-economic development. Local meetings and joint patrols promptly address border management issues, deepening diplomacy to build a peaceful, stable, and friendly frontier.
Amid global complexities, closer coordination between these border forces is vital for safeguarding sovereignty and ensuring a stable environment for regional cooperation. The Vietnam Border Guard plays a key role in advising and implementing these initiatives.
A major milestone is the Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange. Launched in 2014 in Quang Ninh and Guangxi, this annual rotating event has expanded in scale, becoming a crucial platform for mutual trust and practical management cooperation.
Exchange activities include joint patrols, disaster relief exercises, epidemic control, and medical services for border residents. These efforts enhance functional capacity while strengthening solidarity between local authorities and communities.
Beyond high-level events, regular coordination persists. The Vietnam Border Guard Command directs units in seven northern provinces to cooperate with China’s Yunnan and Guangxi forces via hotlines and ad hoc talks. Regular joint patrols effectively combat cross-border crime and maintain order. Practical models like "Building a model borderline," "Friendship ambassadors," and "Solidarity patrols," alongside twinning activities between border stations, further improve management effectiveness.
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Officers and soldiers of Lung Cu Border Post of the Tuyen Quang Provincial Border Guard Command conduct a bilateral patrol with China’s border protection forces. |
The two sides regularly conduct joint exercises in counter-terrorism, non-traditional security, forest fire control, and cross-border medical aid to enhance emergency coordination. Managing border gate entry and exit has also improved through administrative reforms and IT application, boosting clearance efficiency and trade.
Vietnam-China border cooperation extends to local communities, with 72 pairs of residential clusters now twinned. Initiatives supporting economic development, poverty reduction, and legal awareness have further raised living standards. These results demonstrate mutual trust and responsibility. Effective coordination and regular exchanges ensure the Vietnam - China border remains firmly managed as a space of peace, cooperation, and development.
Translated by Tran Hoai