PINGXIANG — A four-day China-Vietnam border meeting attended by the two countries’ defense ministers concluded on March 31 with both sides agreeing to boost political trust and handle maritime issues properly.

Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said cooperation between the two countries’ militaries was also discussed, as well as peace and stability in the border area.

Chang’s Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh said the two sides had agreed to explore methods that would be acceptable to both countries to properly handle maritime issues.

Phung Quang Thanh said the two countries will see more military exchanges in the areas of personnel training, border cooperation, academic research, UN peacekeeping, and national defense industry, among other fields.

During the event, Chinese and Vietnamese troops conducted a joint border patrol.