The opening ceremony was chaired by General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, who hosted the Chinese delegation led by Chinese Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun at the Mong Cai International Border Gate.
The Defence Ministers of both countries and other delegates began the exchange programme after the welcoming ceremony.
China's Minister of National Defence shook hands with delegates from the Vietnamese working group.
During the ceremony, the two defence ministers took part in a tree planting activity symbolising friendship along the Vietnam, China border and attended a series of joint events.
Vietnam's Minister of National Defence, China's Minister of National Defence, and other delegates posed for a photo.
Following the welcome ceremony, the two delegations attended the groundbreaking of a health station in Hai Son commune and visited Tran Phu High School, where they presented gifts to students.
Earlier the same day, both sides visited the Tra Co Border Guard Station and held a high level meeting to discuss cooperation.
Quang Ninh has been selected to host the programme for the third time, after previous editions in 2014 and 2021. Since its launch in 2014, the exchange has become a regular annual event and a significant political and diplomatic activity along the Vietnam-China border.
The 10th exchange takes place over March 18 and 19 in border areas of Quang Ninh and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China.
Key activities include official welcome and farewell ceremonies, high level defence talks, joint patrol launches and joint naval training exercises in the Gulf of Tonkin, as well as the construction of friendship projects.
The programme also features visits to schools and border units, tours of historical sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Sea Trail, and wreath laying ceremonies at memorials dedicated to revolutionary martyrs of both countries.
The event is expected to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Vietnam and China, enhance political trust and promote more effective cooperation between military forces, border authorities and local communities on both sides.
