The public security ministries of China and Vietnam on Thursday agreed to jointly fight against border crimes, which have affected normal exchanges between the two countries.

 

The two countries will take measures to crack down on terrorism, women and children trafficking, illegal border crossings, drugs trafficking and money counterfeiting, and cult organization and instigation, according to a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

 

The MOU was inked during the second meeting in Beijing on Thursday on crime-fighting along the China-Vietnam border. Meng Hongwei, deputy minister of public security of China, and Nguyen Khanh Toan, deputy minister of public security of Vietnam, attended the meeting.

 

The regular meetings between the two countries have promoted effective cooperation between the public security ministries and have had a positive impact on security and stability along the border, said Meng.

 

However, problems still exist which have undermined the security situation in the border area, said Meng.

 

The inaugural meeting was held in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi in 2004.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2006)