The visit reaffirmed that defense cooperation is one of the important pillars of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
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General Phan Van Giang (L) and Senior Lieutenant General He Weidong |
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The host and the guest review the Guards-of-Honor. |
Since General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's official visit to China from October 30 to November 1, 2022, the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries is on a good track of development. In particular, over the past time, bilateral defense cooperation has been accelerated by both sides in a more substantive and effective manner.
During the reception, Sr. Lt. Gen. He Weidong expressed his delight at the first visit of General Phan Van Giang as Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defense Minister to China to attend the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam.
The Chinese CMC Vice Chairman believed that the visit would contribute to deepening traditional friendship between the two Parties, countries and militaries.
After the reception, the two sides held talks.
Speaking at the event, General Phan Van Giang affirmed that the Party, Government, military and people of Vietnam always treasure the support of the Party, Government, military and people of China in the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past and the cause of national construction at present, underlining that in any circumstances, Vietnam always attaches importance to developing its friendly, stable, reliable and sustainable relationship with China.
The Vietnamese defense minister clearly stated that Vietnam consistently persists with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development and strictly follows the “four no's” defense policy.
The country considers maintaining a peaceful and stable security environment as one of the key factors for cooperation and mutual development; applauds initiatives and cooperation mechanisms of all countries for the purpose of peace, stability, mutual development, positive contribution to regional development.
For his part, Sr. Lt. Gen. He Weidong affirmed that China attaches great significant to consolidating and developing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam.
Highly appreciating Vietnam’s “four no's” defense policy, he emphasized that the defense cooperation between the two countries is one of the important pillars pushing the friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and States and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The two sides evaluated that the year of 2023 witnessed a series of exciting cooperation activities between the two militaries after the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, both sides have intensified delegation exchange between the two militaries; promoted cooperation in human resource training. Meanwhile, the two countries’ naval and coast guard forces have effectively maintained bilateral cooperation mechanisms and enhanced cooperation in land border management.
Both sides agreed that there remains ample room for Vietnam-China defense cooperation. Therefore, in the time to come, the two countries should maintain delegation exchange and high-level meetings between leaders of the two Central Military Commissions, and continue to organize border defense friendship exchange programs; promote exchanging and sharing experience in the Party and political work in the military.
Also, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in high-quality human resource training, defense industry, military medicine, especially traditional medicine, and more.
Regarding the East Sea (or South China) issue, both sides supposed that it is necessary to discuss in an honest and frank way to find satisfactory solutions suitable for the common perception of the two Parties and two countries while fully implementing The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon completing the building of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
On the occasion, General Phan Van Giang invited Sr. Lt. Gen. He Weidong and leaders of China’s CMC and MND to attend the 80th anniversary of the foundation day of the Vietnam People's Army and the 2nd Vietnam International Defense Expo which will take place at the end of 2024.
Still, General Phan Van Giang expressed his belief that under the leadership of China’s CMC, the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum would be organized successfully.
Reported by Thu Trang (from Beijing, China)
Translated by Quynh Oanh