(Bqp.vn) - Within the framework of the ninth Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang held talks with his Chinese counterpart Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun on April 17 in Lang Son province of Vietnam.
An overview of the talks.
At the talks, General Phan Van Giang sincerely thanked Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun and the Chinese high-ranking delegation for attending the ceremony to celebrate of the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense (MND) was delighted to welcome and meet with 27 Chinese veterans and advisors who had supported the Vietnamese revolution, he added.
Defense Minister Phan Van Giang underlined that over the past time, both sides have promoted defense cooperation, affirming its role as one of the important pillars in the bilateral relationship, especially in exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level ones; cooperation mechanisms; land border cooperation. Both sides’ management and protection forces in border areas and at checkpoints have continued to pro-actively and actively coordinate in crime prevention and combat and border management, among others.
General Phan Van Giang speaking at the talks.
General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam always treasure the support of the Chinese Party, government, military and people to the country’s past struggle for national independence and current national construction.
Based on the common perception of the two countries’ top leaders, especially following the visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, Defense Minister Phan Van Giang suggested that the two sides focus on some key cooperation contents such as exchange of delegations at all levels, maintenance of cooperation mechanism, Party and political work and enhancement of exchanges in political affairs between agencies and units; cooperation between military regions in border areas, navies, and coast guards; cooperation in border management on land and at sea; defense industry, etc.
Defense Minister Dong Jun speaking at the talks.
At the talks, both sides shared their views on the global and regional situation, and issues of mutual concern. General Phan Van Giang laid stress on Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations
Regarding the East Sea issues, he emphasized Vietnam’s consistent stance on upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982, complying with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam also hoped that China and ASEAN would soon reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) for the East Sea.
General Phan Van Giang took this occasion to invite his Chinese counterpart to attend the national-level celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification to be held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30, and invite the Chinese Ministry of National Defense to send a delegation to join the military parade this time.
For his part, Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun thanked the Vietnamese side for thorough preparations for the exchange, affirming that the event was concluded successfully.
The two defense ministers witnessing the signing of a framework document for the twinning relations between Vietnam’s Border Station of Huu Nghi International Border Gate and China’s Reunion Station of Pingxiang border force.
Defense Minister Dong Jun emphasized that the exchange showed the determination of the two parties, states and people in jointly fostering the traditional Vietnam - China friendship, contributing to further deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Concluding the talks, the two defense ministers witnessed the signing of a framework document for the twinning relationship between Vietnam’s Border Station of Huu Nghi International Border Gate and China’s Reunion Station of Pingxiang border force.
