At the meeting, the Vietnamese general congratulated China on successfully organizing the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, during which the new defense minister was voted and named.

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Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (right) speaks at the reception.

Through the Chinese defense attaché, General Chien conveyed Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang’s congratulations to his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu.

The host underlined that the Vietnamese Party, Government and MND always attach importance to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. He emphasized that the comprehensive cooperation between the two parties and nations is the premise for expanding the bilateral defense ties in an intensive, effective and practical manner in many fields, in line with the spirit of the Vietnam - China joint statement on continuing to strengthen and deepen the Vietnam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership reached after the official China visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong last November.

The Vietnamese senior official highlighted the active maintenance of bilateral defense cooperation activities via flexible contacts and exchanges despite COVID-19 impacts over the past time. He laid stress on the two defense ministries’ successful hosting of the seventh Vietnam - China border defense friendship exchange last April, effective cooperation in land border  management, particularly in prevention of drug-trafficking, crimes, and illegal immigration.

Gen. Chien suggested the two sides accelerate defense cooperation activities with a focus on delegation exchanges, and signing of agreements on naval and border affairs. He also asked for thorough preparations for the eighth Vietnam - China border defense friendship exchange to be held  in an appropriate time.

For his part, Senior Colonel Pan Tao thanked the host for the reception. He stressed that the Chinese MND defined the defense cooperation contents in the cooperation plan early this year and is directing its affiliated agencies to cooperate with Vietnamese counterparts to implement.

The Chinese official said that he will report Gen. Chien’s suggestions to Chinese MND’s leaders and proactively exchange with Vietnamese partners to early actualize the cooperation activities, contributing to intensively and effectively developing the bilateral defense ties.

Translated by Mai Huong