Joint patrols conducted along Lao Cai – Yunnan border hinh anh 1Border guards and local residents stand in front of a border marker between Vietnam and China (Photo: VNA)

Lao Cai (VNA) – Border guards of Vietnam’s Lao Cai province and border police of Honghe county in China’s Yunnan province have conducted joint patrols to ensure order and security in shared border areas on the threshold of the Lunar New Year festival.

The Lao Cai Border Guard High Command said on January 19 that six Vietnamese liaison officers were sent to the Chinese patrol force, while four Chinese liaison officers joined the Vietnamese force.

Fourteen teams with 160 officers and soldiers from the two sides patrolled 85km of land and river borderline. The patrolled area was from border marker No.87 to No.156 in Lao Cai city, and the districts of Bat Xat, Bao Thang and Muong Khuong.

The teams also handed out some 3,000 leaflets on border defence policies and related regulations so as to raise local residents’ awareness of border protection and smuggling prevention.

The Lao Cai High Command added that 200 officers and soldiers were also deployed at cross-border paths to prevent illegal entry and exit, smuggling and waterway vehicles’ illicit activities.

Lao Cai shares more than 200km of border with Yunnan with over 50km on land and the rest traversing rivers and streams.-VNA
VNA