(VOVworld)- The 7^th Conference of the Joint Working Committee between Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang province of Vietnam and the Zhuang Autonomous region of Guangxi, China took place in Ha Giang province on Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh addresses the meeting

In his address, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh emphasized the importance of the conference in boosting friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and China. He said Vietnam attached great importance to promoting its friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with China in general and Guangxi province in particular. Minh expressed his hope that authorities of the four northern provinces of Vietnam and Zhuang autonomous region would work together to ensure border security, develop tourism and strengthen border management. He urged both sides to work out appropriate measures and models to simplify customs procedures thus helping to improve the lives of people in border areas.

The Vice Chair of the Joint Working Committee of the Zhuang Autonomous Region says that in the near future, his region will accelerate cooperation activities with Vietnamese border provinces. To mark the occasion, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a number of cooperative agreements.