China, Vietnam to hold joint naval patrol in Beibu Gulf

Development comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping to pay 2-day official visit to Vietnam this week

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - China and Vietnam will conduct a joint naval patrol in the Beibu Gulf on Wednesday and Thursday, Chinese state media Xinhua News reported on Sunday.

This will mark the 38th such patrol between the two countries, carried out under existing bilateral agreements, according to an announcement by China’s Defense Ministry.

The ministry stated that the patrol aims to boost pragmatic cooperation and enhance the two militaries' ability to jointly safeguard maritime security in the region.

The development came as Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to make a two-day official visit to Vietnam this week -- his first overseas trip of the year, according to Xinhua News.

During the visit, Xi will hold talks with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, with both sides expected to discuss deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation.

The Beibu Gulf lies between northern Vietnam and China’s Guangxi and Hainan provinces.

Kaynak:

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