Progress made on security, customs clearance

Significant progress has been made in recent years on smoothing customs clearance, maintaining border stability, and facilitating personnel and trade exchanges between China and Vietnam, the National Immigration Administration said.

Since 2019, the two sides have conducted 149 joint operations, exchanged 201 case information files, identified and rectified 395 border management dangers, jointly solved 39 cases, and apprehended 137 criminal suspects, according to the NIA.

With a focus on ensuring security during major events, both sides have intensified patrols and control measures in areas susceptible to cross-border criminal activities.

China and Vietnam's border law enforcement departments have collaborated on combating illegal entries and exits and undertaken coordinated action to address border security issues, the NIA said. These stepped-up measures have helped create a peaceful and harmonious border environment, it said.

Efforts have also been made to enhance the efficiency of identity verification and the repatriation of people who illegally enter from either side. A total of 84,000 people who made illegal entries have been repatriated since 2019.

China and Vietnam have also implemented a cooperation mechanism to expedite reviews and repatriations, standardized repatriation procedures, and improved work efficiency, the administration said.

The China-Vietnam border is 1,450 kilometers long, with 15 ports approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, for international opening. Thirteen are in operation.

Since 2019, Chinese public security bodies and immigration authorities have investigated and handled about 4,900 border cases related to Vietnam, and arrested over 13,000 suspects.

A total of 437 drug-trafficking cases were uncovered along the China-Vietnam border and 774.6 kilograms of illegal drugs confiscated. Smuggled goods with an estimated value of 1.71 billion yuan ($238.3 million) were also confiscated, according to the NIA.

So far this year, the border law enforcement departments of China and Vietnam have conducted 24 joint border patrols and effectively deterred various illegal cross-border activities, it added.

At the 10th meeting of the China-Vietnam joint committee for land border demarcation held in Ha Long, Vietnam, in September, the two sides reached a broad consensus on upgrading border port openings and promoting interconnection of cross-border infrastructure.

In light of rapidly growing trade between the two countries, further improvements in the efficiency of customs clearance are also being encouraged. A quick inspection system for outbound and inbound vehicles is already in operation at Youyi port in Pingxiang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, after a successful pilot program. Youyi is one of the most convenient landborder ports between China and Vietnam.

The two sides are expected to further optimize the border port clearance environment, continue to establish green channels for bulk commodities, fresh products, and daily necessities, prioritize immigration procedures, and ensure smooth logistics between the two countries, the administration said.

Regarding future collaboration, China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Vietnam, strengthen joint border controls, and prevent and combat illegal cross-border activities, the NIA said.

It also wants to better maintain social stability along the China-Vietnam border and aims to build a robust security barrier in alignment with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors, One Economic Circle plan.