The freshly-concluded fourth Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange programme has contributed to building a peaceful border, said Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh.

Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister of Vietnam General Ngo Xuan Lich (R) and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Senior Lieutenant General Fan Changlong

He told the Vietnam News Agency that the programme has also helped to promote coordination between the two countries’ border forces in dealing with issues regarding territorial sovereignty, border security, and border law compliance, and in organising activities to improve living standards of border residents as well as development in the border areas. 

The defence activities in reality have contributed to intensifying mutual trust between the two Parties and armies, and settling differences between Vietnam and China on the basis of mutual respect, respect for international law and interest sharing, Vinh said. 

The Deputy Minister said during the exchange programme, the two sides engaged in practical activities, with the most noteworthy being a joint exercise on cross-border anti-terrorism and the building of a border friendship cultural house.

The activities demonstrate the resolve of Vietnamese and Chinese Parties, States and armies to maintain a border of peace and cooperation, and bring happiness and prosperity to their people. 

Through their talks, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister of Vietnam General Ngo Xuan Lich and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Senior Lieutenant General Fan Changlong agreed to expand and deepen the border exchange, from the defence ministerial level to military zone and provincial levels, he said. 

They also consented to step up exchanges between hamlets and consider border guards the centre force of the exchange programme, apart from public security, youth and other social groups, according to the officer. 

Minister Lich noted his hope for increased border exchange activities in particular as well as stronger defence cooperation in general, Vinh said.

The two sides are working on measures to support people in health care and natural disaster response, the officer said, expressing his belief that with the determination of the two Parties and armies, these reached agreements will be realised.

Officers of Vietnam, China central military commissions hold talks

Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Fan Changlong (front, first, left) and Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister of Vietnam Ngo Xuan Lich (front, left, right) encourage Vietnamese and Chinese border guards at the fourth border defence friendship exchange in Lai Chau province on September 23

Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Defence Minister of Vietnam Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich had talks with Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Fan Changlong on September 24 as part of the fourth Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange.

At the talks at the border guard command of Jinping country in China’s Yunnan province, Fan hailed the success of the fourth exchange, which took place concurrently in Yunnan and Vietnam’s Lai Chau province. He noted the solidarity between both sides’ border guard forces has helped ensure stability and development in border areas.

Through border exchanges, the trust between the Vietnamese and Chinese armies and people has been reinforced, he said, stressing that trust is a foundation to enhance relations between their Parties and armies, helping solve disagreements and boost bilateral ties.

He suggested the two sides reform border defence exchanges and organise them in more diversified forms such as experience sharing and military skills competitions, turning the exchanges into an outstanding cooperation activity of the Vietnamese and Chinese armies.

Applauding the fourth exchange’s success, Lich said it helped the two countries’ armies and people better understand each other and enhance their confidence in the peace and stability in border areas and in the sustainability of bilateral friendship.

He also commended both sides’ military agencies and units for effectively implementing cooperation activities, keeping border security, and helping border communities pair with each other.

The officers signed the minutes on the fourth Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation visited a primary school near the Jin Shui He border gate of Yunnan province.

The Vietnamese delegation went home to wrap up the exchange programme on the day.

VNA