A Vietnam-China border defence friendship discussion was held in the northern province of Lao Cai on May 15, seeking to boost mutual understanding and cooperation in the field.

The function, co-chaired by Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh and his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lt. Gen. Chang Wanquan, was part of the second border defence friendship exchange between the two countries.

Opening the discussion, Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh said the exchange took place amid an array of activities held to mark the 65 th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations, adding that Vietnam always treasures its relations with China and is willing to consolidate their traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Vinh stressed the importance of defence cooperation which is a pillar in maintaining and strengthening bilateral friendship.

The success of the first Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange, held in Mong Cai city of Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province and China’s Dongxing city last year, proved the efficiency of this mechanism in building up friendship and solidarity between the countries’ border authorities, people, and border guards, thus fostering political trust and the overall relationship, he added.

The officer expressed his belief that this year’s exchange will boost mutual understanding and create a new driving force for the countries to bolster defence cooperation, ultimately deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for the sake of the two peoples and regional peace, stability and development.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Sen. Lt. Gen. Qi Jianguo said the two countries’ friendship, set up and nurtured by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong and following leaders, is the precious asset of their peoples.

This year’s exchange also sent a message to the world about the nations’ steadfast friendship and unceasing efforts to contribute to regional and global peace, he noted.

Speeches at the discussion spotlighted outcomes of cooperation in defence and other fields between authorities and people in border areas. They also suggested measures to enhance bilateral affiliation with the aim to boost trust and create a peaceful and stable environment for the development of and cooperation between the two armies and peoples.

Command of the Border Guard Force Lt. Gen. Vo Trong Viet said that the Vietnamese Border Guard High Command and China’s Guangzhou and Chengdu Military Regions have made regular mutual visits, conducted 49 joint patrols, and worked together to handle 348 law violation cases.

He proposed that the two countries also step up exchange activities, encourage twinning relations between their border communities, and disseminating laws to their officials and people.

Meanwhile, Commander of China’s Yunnan provincial Military Region Maj. Gen. Zhang Xiaonan said the countries should seriously implement the three legal documents on the land border and related agreements, and organise visits and cultural and sports exchanges under various forms.

Vietnamese, Chinese Defence Ministers hold talks

Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan in the northern Vietnamese border province of Lao Cai on May 15.

This is the first time the two countries’ defence ministers have met at the border area, a reflection of their determination to consolidate defence cooperation and the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Thanh said.

He added that the meeting also aimed to realise and implement the Parties’ and States’ agreements in intensifying the exchange of high-level defence delegations and coordination between border guard forces to enhance the two countries’ solidarity and political trust.

For his part, Chang also hailed the significance of the meeting to build a shared border of peace, friendship and stability.

Both expressed their belief that the second Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange, which is being held in Lao Cai and China’s Yunnan province from May 15-18, will contribute to tightening the two armies’ relations.-

VNA