China, Vietnam set for first joint army drills as US trade war draws neighbours closer
In a statement posted on its website on Sunday, the ministry announced that the joint exercise would be held this month in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which borders Vietnam.
Military ties between the Communist Party-led neighbours have deepened in recent months despite territorial disputes, as the
close economic partners seek ways to navigate the
US tariff war. The two sides have long carried out joint naval and land border patrols, but the coming exercise would be the first such exchange between their armies.
'This is the first joint army drill between China and Vietnam, with the theme of 'joint border patrol training',' the Chinese Ministry of Defence statement said.
The exercise would 'further deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries', it added.
On the economic front, China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and a critical supplier for its manufacturing sector. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Vietnam in April, days after the escalation of the US tariff war, where he called on the Asian neighbours to cooperate to 'fight unilateral bullying'.
Closer defence cooperation this year – which marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties – has included the Chinese military's first-ever appearance at Vietnam's annual celebration of the fall of Saigon.
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