CCG delegation visits Vietnamese defense minister

China Coast Guard (CCG) delegation participated in the sixth high-level meeting with Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) and the first “Vietnam Coast Guard and Friends” exchange program in Hanoi, Vietnam, from December 6 to 11. During the stay in Hanoi, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang and visited VCG Region 1.

Sixth high-level meeting between CCG and VCG

Participants at the sixth CCG-VCG high-level meeting

This high-level meeting is the first offline meeting between CCG and VCG since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the meeting, the Vietnamese side congratulated on the successful 20^th CPC National Congress. The two sides reviewed and studied the important consensus reached recently by leaders of the two parties and countries, positively evaluated the cooperative achievements made since the COVID-19 outbreak and in 2022, discussed and determined the cooperation direction and specific cooperation projects in the future, and exchanged views on topics of common concern.

The two sides agreed to deepen the maritime law enforcement cooperation, properly handle maritime emergencies, and jointly maintain maritime security and stability.

Under the strategic leadership of Chinese and Vietnamese party and state leaders, CCG and VCG have carried out pragmatic and extensive cooperation and deepened friendship and mutual trust in recent years, following the guideline of “long-term stability, good neighborliness, and future-oriented and comprehensive cooperation” and committed to remaining “good neighbors, friends, comrades, and partners”.

Since the two sides signed the memorandum on cooperation in 2016, they have held six high-level meetings, around 10 joint patrols and exercises, and two officer exchanges. They have also realized mutual visits of ships, maintained regular communication to keep each other informed, and sent letters at key milestones. Through years of efforts, CCG and VCG have jointly set an example of maritime law enforcement cooperation in the region, playing a positive role in keeping the regional waters secure and stable and consolidating and advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Discussions at “VCG and Friends” exchange program

Group photo at “VCG and Friends” exchange program

Initiated by VCG Command, the first “VCG and Friends” exchange program was attended by representatives from the Cambodian National Committee for Maritime Security, CCG, Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA), the Philippine Coast Guard, Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center (Thai-MECC), and maritime agencies from other countries.

In the theme of “For safe, secure territorial waters and clean environment”, the participants exchanged opinions on how to work together to maintain maritime security and stability in the region. During the program, CCG held bilateral talks with the Indonesian, Philippine and Cambodian counterparts on strengthening cooperation, managing differences, and increasing mutual trust, with the aim of promoting security and stability in the SouthChina Sea region.

VCG Region 1