VietNamNet Bridge – Building strategic trust in defence ties between Vietnam and China will help nurture strategic trust between their parties, states, and people, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh has said.

Qi Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army led the Chinese delegation to the event.

The two sides discussed regional security issues of common concern, as well as bilateral military ties and the East Sea situation.

Deputy Minister Vinh proposed directions for the two armies’ future cooperation.

He said the two armies should consult their parties and states and consistently settle disputes appropriately by peaceful talks and friendly consultation.

The two armies need to work together to create a peaceful environment in the East Sea , maintain the status quo, decrease their presence in sensitive areas and evade actions that can cause misunderstanding, Vinh said.

He proposed the armies not using force and threatening the use of force and working towards the signing of an agreement to not use force and threaten to use force at sea.

Vinh suggested the two armies expanding cooperative fields, especially naval cooperation, and grasping thoroughly humane treatment of fishermen working peacefully at sea.

Cooperation via the hotline set up between the two countries’ navy commanders should be increased and popularisation on the friendship between the two armies and people should be stepped up, Deputy Minister Vinh said.

Following the dialogue, the two sides signed an agreement on setting up a direct telephone line between the two Defence Ministries.

Earlier, Lt. Gen Vinh and his entourage visited the Peacekeeping Centre of the Chinese Defence Ministry.

Source: Vietnam Plus