China, Vietnam coast guards vow to release model effect of cooperation in SCS at high-level work meeting
Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards have made positive comments on the cooperation achievement in 2024, discussed and determined the future cooperation direction and specific projects, and fully exchanged views on topics of common interest during the eighth high-level work meeting between the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard in Hanoi, Vietnam from December 16-21, according to China Military Online.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to deepen bilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation, jointly crack down on illegal and criminal activities, properly handle emergencies, maintain security and stability, and work together to set a model for regional maritime law enforcement cooperation.
A source familiar with the matter told the Global Times on Sunday that the two sides also agreed to enhance information exchange in combating maritime drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration, and other criminal activities, and regularly carry out synchronized law enforcement actions in the Beibu Gulf region.
In addition, both sides vowed to strengthen mutual support in multilateral circumstances, releasing the model effect of China-Vietnam maritime law enforcement cooperation in the South China Sea, according to the source.
Since the beginning of 2024, coast guards of the two countries have carried out exchanges at various levels and in different fields, maintained monthly updates on information about illegal fishing vessels, and exchanged letters at key points, effectively establishing China-Vietnam maritime law enforcement cooperation as a model for regional maritime law enforcement, the source revealed.
The two sides have agreed to make good use of the secondary contact window to enhance communication and coordination on issues such as the notification of illegal fishing vessels in the Beibu Gulf, drafting and implementing joint patrol plans, and initial response to maritime emergencies. They also plan to hold sea (sub)regional-level talks in 2025, the source told the Global Times.
Among the gifts exchanged by the Vietnamese side was a Vietnamese bronze drum, and among the gifts Chins gave in return was a Chinese knot, both representing traditional cultures, Global Times learned from the source.
Despite some differences between China and Vietnam in the South China Sea, both sides have managed to effectively control these differences in order to safeguard their shared interests. As a result, they have not allowed these conflicts to escalate. China-Vietnam exchanges and cooperation have become a model in this regard, Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
In a notable contrast, the Philippines has chosen otherwise and not cooperated with China to jointly maintain maritime security in the South China Sea. Instead, Manila has sought to involve external forces, particularly the US, especially around Huangyan Dao, which has contributed to tensions in the region and to a setback in China-Philippines relations, Gu said.
According to China Military Online, after the work meeting, the CCG delegation visited the Fisheries Supervision Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam for talks. Both sides reviewed and evaluated the use of the emergency hotline, and had in-depth exchanges on issues such as establishing institutional cooperation and handling maritime fishery emergencies.
All participating delegations were invited to pay a courtesy call to the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and visit the second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition. The CCG delegation also visited and paid tribute to Chinese martyrs of the Vietnam War at a cemetery in Gia Lam, Hanoi.
The delegation of the CCG also attended the second "Vietnam Coast Guard and Friends" exchange activity, and held talks with the Cambodian National Committee of Maritime Security, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Indonesian Coast Guard, and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center. They held in-depth discussions on addressing non-traditional security issues in the maritime domain, handling maritime emergencies, and exchanged views on such topics of concern as establishing a cooperation mechanism, managing differences, enhancing mutual trust and jointly promoting security and stability in the South China Sea.
China and most Southeast Asian countries hope to effectively manage differences on the South China Sea issue. They aim to prevent these differences from escalating and affecting the peace and stability of the South China Sea and the surrounding region. This reflects the consensus reached between China and ASEAN on this matter, Gu noted.