Talks between high-ranking delegations of the Defense Ministries of Vietnam and China

Within the framework of the 8th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program, on the morning of April 11, at the Lao Cai Provincial Conference Center, the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense led by Senior General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense , held talks with the high-ranking delegation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense led by Senior General Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense .

Speaking at the talks, General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, affirmed that the border defense friendship exchange is a very important activity, contributing to enhancing political trust, mutual understanding, tightening solidarity and cohesion between the people, local authorities and the two countries' defense ministries; joining hands to build a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and developing Vietnam-China border.

General Phan Van Giang speaks at the meeting.

The Minister emphasized: The Party, Government, Army and People of Vietnam always appreciate the valuable contributions and assistance that the Party, Government, Army and People of China have given to Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and reunification as well as in the current national construction. He affirmed that China is always one of the top priorities in Vietnam's foreign policy.

D 11.jpg — The two Ministers and the delegations of the two countries' Ministries of Defense took a souvenir photo at the Provincial Conference Center.

Vietnam has always been consistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; and firmly adhered to the "4 no's" defense policy. Maritime issues must be resolved by peaceful means through negotiations, in compliance with the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders, and together maintaining peace and stability at sea.

Vietnam supports China's global cooperation initiatives and mechanisms for the common interests of mankind, peace and progress of the world's people, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

On this occasion, Minister Phan Van Giang respectfully invites the Minister, leaders of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and Chinese defense industry enterprises to attend the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the Second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition.

Senior Lieutenant General Dong Quan spoke at the meeting.

Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense of China, expressed his pleasure to attend and co-chair the 8th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange; through the exchange, it once again affirmed the friendly relationship between the two countries as comrades and brothers.

On this occasion, Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun conveyed the greetings of Comrade Ha Ve Dong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, to the Minister of National Defense of Vietnam; thanked the Minister of National Defense and the Vietnamese delegation for taking the time to welcome him respectfully and thoughtfully. He affirmed that the 8th Exchange Program has contributed to concretizing the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders recently, in which the two countries' armies have carried out many practical and effective activities.

At the talks, the two sides agreed to evaluate the defense cooperation relationship in recent times. Based on signed documents and agreements, defense cooperation has been promoted, implemented effectively and achieved many results, focusing on the following areas: Exchange of delegations, especially high-level delegations; maintaining the effectiveness of the Defense Strategy Dialogue mechanism; promoting training cooperation; Party work, political work; border management and protection.

Regarding border management and protection cooperation, on the basis of signed documents, cooperation between the two countries, especially the border management and protection forces, border military regions and Vietnamese localities has been actively deployed, achieving many practical results; the system of border lines and border markers has been maintained; political security and social order in the border area have been ensured. The border protection forces of the two sides have thoroughly implemented the three legal documents on the border; promptly detected, prevented, handled and effectively resolved violations in the border area; organized meetings, talks and bilateral patrols; effectively promoted the hotline; exchanged and established twinning stations and border posts, etc.

Border defense cooperation activities and the Border Defense Friendship Exchange mechanism are very important activities, a bright spot with widespread influence, highly appreciated by senior leaders, the Government, the People and the Army of the two countries. After 10 years with 8 very successful organizations, the Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange has become an effective and unique cooperation model; demonstrating the political determination of the two sides in strengthening solidarity, friendship and attachment between the People, local authorities and between the Ministries of Defense of the two countries, together building a peaceful, friendly, cooperative and developed border.

Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, thoroughly implement the Joint Statement between the two countries on promoting "More substantive defense and security cooperation", propose that both sides continue to promote the exchange of delegations, especially high-level delegations; maintain and promote the effectiveness of annual cooperation mechanisms such as: Defense Strategy Dialogue; Border defense friendship exchange; joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin between the two navies; promote cooperation in training, Party work, political work, defense industry, military trade, strategic research, United Nations peacekeeping, logistics, military medicine (traditional medicine)...

The two Ministers signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the talks.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries of National Defense on establishing a hotline between the Navy (Vietnam Ministry of National Defense) and the Southern Theater Command (China People's Liberation Army).

The Chinese Defense Ministry delegation left the country via Lao Cai International Border Gate.

At the end of the exchange program in Lao Cai province, the delegation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense departed through Lao Cai International Border Gate. On April 12, the 8th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program will continue with the contents in Yunnan province, China.

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