The third session of the Vietnam-China Land Border Joint Committee convened from December 23-27, 2012, in Beijing, China.

Positive comments were raised on the joint efforts of both sides in the implementation of the Protocol on Border Demarcation and Marker Planting, the Agreement on Border Management Regulations and the Agreement on Border Gates and Land Border Gate Management Regulations in 2012.

According to delegates, the mechanism of Land Border Joint Committee and Border Representatives operated smoothly and effectively.

The situation along the Vietnam-China land border was kept stable, and cooperation between border localities strengthened and stepped up, they said.

Delegates also discussed the future implementation of border management tasks, worked out the joint committee’s 2013 operation plan, and agreed upon important aspects such as accelerating the upgrade and official launch of some border gates, objects used to mark the border, the forms of cards for border representatives, deputy and assistant border representatives, and border gate communication mechanism.

The two sides will work closely to maintain and ensure security and order in border areas and prevent illegal crossings, women and child trafficking, drug smuggling and transnational crimes.

The fourth session will be held in Hanoi in 2013./.