Beijing (VNA) – Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang has met foreign defence officials on the sidelines of the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China.

At the meeting with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Zhang Youxia, Giang expressed his impression of the forum, and his belief that it will be a success, contributing to promoting dialogue and building trust among relevant sides.

The minister affirmed the Vietnamese Party’s and State’s consistent stance on viewing the development of the relations with China as an objective need, a strategic choice, and a top priority in the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralisation.

The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam always value the friendly cooperation with their Chinese counterparts, and wish to continuously foster the relationship, he said.

They are also willing to work together with the Chinese side to materialise major perceptions reached by the leaders of the two Parties and countries on promoting the defence-security ties in a pragmatic manner, Giang continued.

For his part, Zhang emphasised the importance China attaches to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership with Vietnam, saying the activities carried out by the two armies in recent times have contributed to concretising the common perceptions of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders.

Giang and Zhang shared the view that along with the very positive developments in the relations between the two Parties and countries, bilateral defence cooperation has been a focus for both sides, with various practical activities such as high-level delegation exchange, collaboration in education and training, cooperation between military and maritime law enforcement forces, and in border management, along with joint research, and academic exchange.

They agreed to enhance and promote cooperation contents, thereby contributing to deepening the traditional friendship between the two Parties and countries, as well as their armies.

At another meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Laos Chansamone Chanyalath, both officers noted with cooperation results between the two defence ministries so far this year, and discussed key areas of collaboration for the time ahead, including preparation for the second Vietnam-Laos Border Defence Friendship Exchange scheduled for October in Son La province of Vietnam and Houaphan province of Laos.

Meanwhile, Giang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha concurred to work closely to implement key cooperation areas like maintaining delegation exchange and cooperation mechanisms, enhancing cooperation between border guards, and implementing exchange programmes for young officers.

Meeting Mongolian Defence Minister Byambatsogt Sanda, Giang expressed his belief that the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year is a milestone for the two countries to strengthen cooperation across spheres, covering the defence ties.

The two sides agreed to actively put in place what reached during Giang’s official visit to Mongolia in October 2023, focusing on such fields as military technology, defence industry, education, training, and UN peacekeeping.

✤ Giang also invited military leaders and defence industry enterprises of the countries to attend the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and attend the 2024 Vietnam International Defence Expo in Hanoi in December./.