Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen XuanPhuc received the visiting Chinese State Councillor and Minister of NationalDefence, Sen. Lt. Gen. Wei Fenghe, in Hanoi on April 26.

Welcoming Wei and the high-ranking militarydelegation from China, President Phuc expressed his belief that the officialvisit will positively contribute to the two countries’ relations.

He highly valued the outcomes of the talksbetween the Vietnamese and Chinese ministers of national defence, noting thatthe successful cooperation between the two armies will further promote thesound traditional friendship between the two Parties and the two countries,including between their defence ministries, for the sake of the two peoples andfor peace, stability, cooperation, and development in each nation, along withthe region and the world as a whole.

Minister Wei said his delegation’s trip toVietnam reflects the importance that the Chinese Party and State attach to therelations with Vietnam, and it also aims to strengthen the two armies’multifaceted ties in an increasingly substantive manner.

Talking about the outcomes of his talks with hisVietnamese counterpart Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, he said the two sidesagreed on many cooperation aspects so as to help foster the friendship andcomprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the countries.

The official emphasised that China and Vietnamshare many similarities, and many achievements have been recorded in bilateralrelations, including the ties between the defence ministries.

China and Vietnam boast special and time-testedrelations which need to be further treasured and brought into play in the timeahead, he said, voicing his belief that Vietnam will definitely harvest evengreater successes in socio-economic development.
President Phuc congratulated China on its socio-economic achievementsunder the leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Hesaid that the two countries’ Party and State leaders have maintained exchangesand achieved important perceptions.

Vietnamattaches importance to developing its comprehensive strategic cooperativepartnership with China in a healthy, stable, sustainable and long-term mannerand for win-win cooperation, he stated, adding that Vietnam backs China’sdevelopment and more active and substantial contributions to peace, stabilityand development in the region and the world.

TheVietnamese State leader acknowledged and appreciated the development ofrelations between the two countries’ ministries, sectors and localities, thusbringing about benefits to each side, especially provinces along the sharedborder.

Hewelcomes the comprehensive development of the bilateral defence cooperation,which has contributed to the Vietnam-China relations, citing as an example thesuccessful organisation of defence dialogue activities most recently.

PresidentPhuc stressed that amidst complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic,both nations have well controlled the pandemic and facilitated two-way trade,helping it reach a record high of 133 billion USD in 2020 – a year-on-yearincrease of 14 percent.

Hesuggested the two sides carry out more measures to boost trade growth in thetime to come.

Healso expressed his hope that the two armies will continue building strategictrust, working together to make defence cooperation maintain a pillar in thebilateral relations, and implementing signed cooperation documents and existingmechanisms fully and effectively.

Itis necessary to intensify collaboration between the armies’ political agenciesand step up communication work on bilateral friendships and traditions so as toprevent hostile forces from undermining the ties.

TheVietnamese leader spoke highly of the two Defence Ministries’ determination tocreate a peaceful atmosphere between the two countries in general and at theEast Sea in particular. He affirmed that the substantial cooperation and themaintenance of a peaceful environment on the sea are favourable conditions forauthorised agencies to conduct dialogues and handle existing issues, especiallythose related to the sea.

Healso took the occasion to convey his thanks to Chinese Party General Secretaryand President Xi Jinping for extending congratulations on his election as theState President of Vietnam./.