BEIJING - Experts from China and Vietnam have held their third round of consultations on low-sensitivity maritime cooperation programs earlier this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

The consultations from Monday to Wednesday have included discussions on multiple areas of cooperation, including environmental protection, scientific research, search and rescue operations and disaster prevention and reduction, according to a press release from the ministry.

The two sides agreed to continue making joint efforts to launch marine cooperation in low-sensitivity areas at an early date, said the release.

The fourth round of negotiations will be held in Vietnam in the second half of this year.