VietNamNet Bridge – Defence talks between Vietnam-China have helped create a firmer trust and devise strategies for fostering bilateral ties.

President Truong Tan Sang's trip to China in June 2013 contributed to boosting bilateral defence ties.

The two countries have conducted four defence meetings since 2010—the first in Hanoi (2010), the second in Beijing (2011), the third in Hanoi (2012) and the fourth in Beijing (2013).

Progress made in recent talks has been acknowledged in the following points:

Consolidating mutual understanding, building “strategic trust"

Both sides agreed on the need to build mutual political trust and enhance cooperation between the armies and people. They also stressed that the Vietnam-China friendship is a valuable asset respected by both nations.

The Vietnamese and Chinese armies have always placed high importance on developing a comprehensive strategic partnership and is one of the top priorities for external policy.

Both sides affirmed their willingness to promote defence talks, exchanges and consultations at all levels with a view to deepening mutual understanding, trust and working together to build a comprehensive strategic partnership.

 Practical and effective solutions

The two countries consolidated their common perceptions, exchanged trust promotion measures and reiterated their consistent stance on implementing high-level declarations and agreements on defence relations.

Over the years the two armies have strengthened exchange visits between naval forces and border guard, cooperated on military science research, training and established links between the two defence ministries.

They have contributed to realizing the agreements defined by Party and State leaders for the sake of peace, stability and prosperous development in the region and the world.

The signing of documents and agreements has created a firmer legal foundation for reinforcing bilateral ties.

Two important documents signed last June regarding working regulation of the Vietnam-China Committee for Land Border Management have contributed to building a common border area of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

In his trip to Vietnam, Chinese President Xi Jinping described the signing as one of the highlights in bilateral defence ties, helping promote mutual political trust and understanding and deal with pending sensitive issues on border and territory in a positive manner.

Strengthened naval cooperation aims to provide humanitarian treatment for fishermen and increase communication and friendship between the two countries.

Both sides reached an agreement on setting up a hot line between the two defence ministries with a view to increasing the operational efficiency of the two armies.

Respecting sovereignty in accordance with international law

During defence talks, Vietnam affirmed its recognition of the importance to prioritising relations with China and wanted to seek a “mutually beneficial” solution to resolve issues based on historical evidence and international law.

East Sea dispute is an ongoing problem in the Vietnam-China relation and is a common destiny of the two countries. This is a problematic and sensitive issue that needs to be addressed in the future but with good-will and combined efforts, both sides will seek an appropriate settlement measure in line with international law and the best interests of the two countries.

Both nations pledged to create a peaceful environment in the East Sea and avoid misunderstanding to move forwards the signing of a document on non-use of force and threat to use force in the sea between the two armies.

Agreeing upon dialogue mechanism

Both sides agreed to view defence talks as a mechanism for enhancing, bilateral ties and creating a stable and peaceful environment.

They valued military and defence cooperation over the years and affirmed defence-security talks as a cooperative mechanism for forging better mutual understanding of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

They underlined the need to increase bilateral defence cooperation and reach common perceptions on future issues, expressing hope that the two armies will continue to grow within the comprehensive strategic partnership framework, contributing to peace and prosperity in the region and wider world.

Source: VOV