Vietnam and China defence ministers shared the wish to strengthen theirneighbourly friendship as the two countries share mutual interests attheir talks in Beijing on October 17.
Defence Minister Gen.Phung Quang Thanh, who is on an official visit to China from October16-18, and his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan noted with pleasure thestatus of cooperation between the two armies in line with a protocolsigned in 2003, saying that this should continue by facilitating morevisits, personnel training, and holding joint patrols on the Gulf ofTonkin for a borderline of peace, stability and development.
They agreed to enhance Party and political activities, with a focus onawareness campaigns and exchanges between young officers to raise mutualunderstanding between the two peoples.
Minister Thanh saidsovereignty dispute in the East Sea is the only stumbling block inbilateral relationship, adding that Vietnam’s consistent stance is tosettle the dispute peacefully and together with China seek a long-termsolution acceptable to both sides and in accordance with internationallaw, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seaand the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
He urged that the army should keep calm, exercise self-restraints andclosely monitor activities at sea so as to avoid any possiblemisunderstanding, prevent clashes, as well as do not use or threat forcewhen it comes to address the dispute.
The guest also calledfor humanitarian treatment of fishermen, including helping those indistress at sea and not confiscating fishermen’s fishing equipment.
At the end of the talks, both ministers witnessed thesigning of a technical memorandum of understanding on the establishmentof a direct communication line between the two ministries.
Meeting with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao later, Thanh suggestedChina lift its warning against travel in Vietnam, adding that his visitis to implement the important common perception between the twocountries’ leaders and bolster ties between the two Parties, countriesand armies.
The host said China welcomes the visit and believes it will be beneficial to both sides.
While in China, Thanh is schedule to meet Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong on October 18.-VNA
Defence Minister Gen.Phung Quang Thanh, who is on an official visit to China from October16-18, and his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan noted with pleasure thestatus of cooperation between the two armies in line with a protocolsigned in 2003, saying that this should continue by facilitating morevisits, personnel training, and holding joint patrols on the Gulf ofTonkin for a borderline of peace, stability and development.
They agreed to enhance Party and political activities, with a focus onawareness campaigns and exchanges between young officers to raise mutualunderstanding between the two peoples.
Minister Thanh saidsovereignty dispute in the East Sea is the only stumbling block inbilateral relationship, adding that Vietnam’s consistent stance is tosettle the dispute peacefully and together with China seek a long-termsolution acceptable to both sides and in accordance with internationallaw, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seaand the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
He urged that the army should keep calm, exercise self-restraints andclosely monitor activities at sea so as to avoid any possiblemisunderstanding, prevent clashes, as well as do not use or threat forcewhen it comes to address the dispute.
The guest also calledfor humanitarian treatment of fishermen, including helping those indistress at sea and not confiscating fishermen’s fishing equipment.
At the end of the talks, both ministers witnessed thesigning of a technical memorandum of understanding on the establishmentof a direct communication line between the two ministries.
Meeting with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao later, Thanh suggestedChina lift its warning against travel in Vietnam, adding that his visitis to implement the important common perception between the twocountries’ leaders and bolster ties between the two Parties, countriesand armies.
The host said China welcomes the visit and believes it will be beneficial to both sides.
While in China, Thanh is schedule to meet Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Fan Changlong on October 18.-VNA
