Bilateral Effort Against Cross-Border Gambling
- China and Vietnam’s top security officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation to combat “cross-border gambling” activities.
- The agreement was signed during a ministerial-level meeting on crime prevention in Beijing, co-hosted by China’s Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, and Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security, General To Lam.
Details of the MoU
- The Xinhua report did not provide specific details regarding the content of the MoU or the specific methods of cooperation for curbing cross-border gambling activities.
Broader Framework of Cooperation
- Minister Wang mentioned that the framework for “strategic” cooperation between China and Vietnam had been established in previous meetings between China’s President Xi Jinping and Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary, Nguyen Phu Trong.
- Last year, both leaders agreed to promote cooperation in law enforcement areas, including the combatting of “cross-border gambling.”
Strengthened Border Patrols and Law Enforcement Actions
- The press release from the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security highlighted that both countries pledged to enhance border patrols and coordinate “effective” law enforcement actions against various forms of transnational criminality.
- These actions include tackling drug trafficking, human trafficking, and telecommunications and Internet frauds.
The agreement between China and Vietnam reflects a shared commitment to combat cross-border gambling and other transnational criminal activities. While the specific details of the MoU remain undisclosed, it signifies a step toward increased cooperation in addressing common security concerns.