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Defense Ministers Phan Van Giang and Dong Jun |
During the talks, General Phan Van Giang sincerely thanked Sr. Lt. Gen. Dong Jun and the Chinese high-ranking delegation for attending the ceremony to celebrate of the 80th foundation 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.
The Vietnamese defense chief underlined that over the past time, both sides have promoted defense cooperation, affirming its role as one of the key pillars in the bilateral relationship, especially in exchange of delegations at all levels, particularly high-level visits; cooperation mechanisms; and 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 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, particularly in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. In early April this year, the Vietnamese MND completed the restoration of Chinese martyrs' cemeteries in Vietnam.
Based on the shared understanding of the two countries’ top leaders, especially following the state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, the two ministers agreed to focus on key contents, including 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, to name but a few.
Also at the talks, both sides shared their views on the global and regional situation, and issues of mutual concern. Gen. Giang laid stress on Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development and steadfastness in the “Four No's” defense policy.
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General Phan Van Giang (second from right) and the Vietnamese delegation at the talks |
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Minister Dong Jun (second from left) and the Chinese delegation at the talks |
Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea)-related issues, the Vietnamese minister said that they should be solved by peaceful means, complying with the common perception of senior leaders of the two countries, international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Vietnam also hopes that China and ASEAN will soon reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) for the East Sea.
On April 30, Vietnam will organize a national-level ceremony in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day in Ho Chi Minh City. General Phan Van Giang invited the Chinese Defense Minister to attend the event, and also extended an invitation for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense to send a contingent of military officers to participate in the parade during the celebration.
For his part, Sr. Lt. Gen. Dong Jun thanked the Vietnamese side for thorough preparations for the exchange, affirming that the ninth edition was concluded successfully.
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The two ministers witnessing the signing of a framework agreement for the twinning relations between Vietnam’s Border Station of Huu Nghi International Border Gate and China’s Reunion Station of Pingxiang border force |
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 ministers witnessed the signing of a framework agreement for the twinning relations between Vietnam’s Border Station of Huu Nghi International Border Gate and China’s Reunion Station of Pingxiang border force.
Translated by Quynh Oanh