According to Colonel Do Duy Chinh, deputy director of the ministry’s Department of Information and Education, the exchange aims to further realise the common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries on strengthening practical defence cooperation.

The event is expected to enhance friendship and solidarity while promoting substantive cooperation between border protection forces, local authorities and residents in border areas of both countries. It also contributes to strengthening ties between the militaries of Vietnam and China and building a border of peace, friendship, stability, cooperation and development.

As part of the programme, the Vietnam People’s Navy will send two missile frigates - Tran Hung Dao (015) frigate and Ly Thai To (012) frigate - from Brigade 162 under Naval Region 4 to participate in joint patrol and training activities with the People’s Liberation Army Navy.

Lieutenant Colonel Ly Nguyen Binh, deputy head of the Navy’s Information and Education Division, revealed that the joint naval activities will include a planning meeting, briefings for the defence ministers of the two countries, mutual ship visits, and a joint departure ceremony before the patrol begins.

Officers and sailors from both sides will also board each other’s vessels to observe operations and exchange professional experience.

During the joint patrol and training in the Gulf of Tonkin, the participating vessels will conduct a range of activities, including formation manoeuvres, maritime escort operations, signal light communication drills, anti-piracy exercises and coordination in search and rescue operations and maritime safety protection.

Lieut. Col. Binh said the activity, held annually, plays an important role in strengthening friendship and solidarity between the navies of the two countries, as well as between their armed forces and peoples. He added that the programme also helps both sides improve operational capabilities at sea while expanding defence diplomacy relations between the Vietnamese and Chinese navies.

A number of exchange activities will also take place on both sides of the border.

On March 18 in Vietnam, ceremonies welcoming and seeing off the Chinese Ministry of National Defence delegation will be held at the Mong Cai International Border Gate in Quang Ninh province. The programme will also include a friendship tree-planting ceremony, the groundbreaking of a friendship medical station in Hai Son commune, visits to Tran Phu High School and the Tra Co Border Guard Station, as well as bilateral talks.

On March 19 in China, the Vietnamese delegation will be welcomed and seen off at the Dongxing International Border Gate at Beilun Bridge II in Guangxi. The delegation will also visit a border guard company, participate in a friendship tree-planting ceremony and attend the joint patrol departure ceremony for the two navies in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Other activities include a visit to a historical site related to the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea, a local enterprise visit and a wreath-laying ceremony at a memorial dedicated to Vietnamese and Chinese revolutionary martyrs.

A number of side events will be organised before the exchange. Military medical teams from both countries will provide free medical examinations and medicines to residents in border areas from March 12 to 16. The programme is expected to serve around 500 people at each location, including four days of medical services in Vietnam and one day in China.

The organisers will also present 100 scholarships to disadvantaged students and donate 50 breeding cows to households facing economic difficulties in border areas of Vietnam. These activities will be held at the Vietnam–China Friendship Cultural House in Hoanh Mo commune of Quang Ninh Province.

In addition, the programme will review twinning activities between border communities, including the partnership between Cua Khau hamlet in Hoanh Mo commune of Vietnam and Dongzhong village in Dongzhong town, Fangcheng.

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