The ground forces of China and Vietnam will conduct a joint training exercise in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in mid-to-late July, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on Sunday.

This marks the first joint army training between China and Vietnam, the ministry said in a brief statement, with a focus on joint border patrol.

The exercise aims to enhance mutual learning and exchange of border patrol experiences and further deepen practical cooperation between the two militaries, it said.