VietNamNet Bridge – The visit to China last week of Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh shows that the two neighboring countries are trying to mend relations after the oil rig incident, observed international newswires.

Vietnamese, Chinese military officials hold talks

The Associated Press wrote that the visit by Mr. Phung Quang Thanh and the Vietnamese high-level delegation to China shows that the two countries "agreed to resume military relations and better manage sea disputes”.

Many newspapers also reflected the visit in a positive perspective. Xinhua reported that China and Vietnam have agreed to settle and control disputes satisfactorily after Vice Chairman of the Chinese Party Central Committee’s Military Commission Fan Changlong welcomed Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh in Beijing.

"Neighbours cannot be changed. Together maintaining friendship and resolving disputes satisfactorily and promoting development is the common interests of both China and Vietnam," said Mr. Fan Changlong.

Mr. Phung Quang Thanh proposed the two militaries calm down, tightly control operations at sea to prevent conflict, and not use force or threaten to use force in settling disputes in the sea.

In his meeting with Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung last week, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also praised: "Thanks to the efforts of both sides, China-Vietnam relations have gone beyond the difficult period and are recovering".

"China has an incentive to prevent the relations from further deteriorating," Mr. Carl Thayer, a leading expert on Southeast Asia, told online newswire VNExpress. "China wants to show reconciliation (with neighbors) before hosting the APEC summit next month," Carl Thayer said.

The number and composition of generals participating in the visit of Minister Phung Quang Thanh are "remarkable". Commanders of regions and fields eyewitnessed a consensus of two ministers, so they will strengthen the implementation of the duties of conflict management and cooperation promotion, according to Thayer.

Vietnam and China agreed to establish a direct phone line between the two defence ministries. With this agreement, the two sides have established a mechanism to communicate directly with each other when incidents occur. However, the effectiveness of the hotline will only be tested when there is a new incident in the future, he added.

China, Vietnam agree to avoid use and threat of force 

Vietnam and China reached a consensus on settling disputes by peaceful means, while the armies should closely monitor activities at sea to avoid the threat and use of force, and prevent clashes, the Defence Minister told the press on the sidelines of the on-going 8th National Assembly session.

Gen. Phung Quang Thanh, who recently made a visit to China, was quoted by Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper as saying that the two sides signed a technical memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a direct communication line between the two defence ministers so they can contact each other in case a conflict occur at sea.

Both sides also agreed to control their border areas, and establish a borderline of peace, friendship, long-standing cooperation and development in order to facilitate travel and trade, the minister said.

“I also suggested China lift its warning against travelling to Vietnam to help tourism and aviation between the two countries grow, and thus contribute to tightening mutual trust and bilateral friendship,” Thanh said.

The minister highlighted that the two sides agreed to implement the Declaration on Conduct of Parties on theEast Sea (DOC), which means not to further extend or complicate disputes.

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh made an official visit to China from October 16-18.

VNE/Lao Dong/VOV