Friendship Pass

Friendship Pass is the current name for the main border crossing between Guangxi and Vietnam. The fortified gateway dates to the Ming Dynasty when it was known as the "South Defending Pass". In 1965 the name was changed to Friendship Pass to demonstrate the close ties between China and Vietnam during the war for the liberation of South Vietnam. The close association of anti-aircraft guns with Friendship Pass on two of these badges perhaps reflects a not entirely unwarranted Chinese fear that US bombing raids on North Vietnam might stray across the border.