China-Vietnam cross-border rescue mechanism saves Chinese citizen

A Chinese citizen who suffered a sudden major illness in Vietnam is sent back to China for medical treatment through the China-Vietnam cross-border rescue mechanism, March 1, 2023. (Photo/China News Service)

(ECNS) -- A Chinese citizen who suffered a sudden illness in Vietnam was successfully sent back to China for medical treatment through the China-Vietnam cross-border rescue mechanism on Wednesday afternoon, said the Youyi Border Inspection Station in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Procedures for the patient’s entry was completed by the immigration management police in an ambulance at the Youyi Border Inspection Station.

The cross-border rescue mechanism, which is called the Youyi (Friendship) Life Line, was jointly launched by both sides’ border inspection stations, customs, and first aid departments in 2018. 

The green passage has been opened over 200 times for passengers in need since its operation. It has shortened the customs clearance time to five minutes and provided efficient and convenient customs clearance services for injured patients, pregnant women and sick elderly people many times.

Zhan Changwen, a staff member of the Youyi Border Inspection Station, said the mission of the Youyi Life Line is to optimize the customs clearance process for cross-border patient rescue.

“According to the agreement, we have opened a hotline and a liaison system with the Vietnamese side. Rescue vehicles need to go through procedures at each other’s border inspection station and will be released after both sides exchange the results, thus gaining time for passengers,” said Zhan.

Next, border inspection stations on both sides will deepen the rescue mechanism and carry out certificate identification training and joint drills in certain port areas so as to jointly create a friendly, safe and stable border environment.