Beijing (VNA) – Ahigh-ranking Vietnamese military delegation led by Defence Minister General NgoXuan Lich paid an official visit to China from October 26-28 at theinvitation of his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei Fenghe.  

While in China,Lich, who is also a Politburo member and Deputy Secretary of the CentralMilitary Commission, met with Xu Quiliang, a member of the Political Bureau ofthe Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Vice Chairman of theCentral Military Commission of China.

Xu thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence forits support for and participation in the eighth Beijing Xiangshan Forum, whichlasted from October 24 to 26.

Speaking highly of Lich’s speech at the forum, the host saidVietnam’sparticipation has contributed to the success of this year’s event.

Xu used the occasion to congratulate General Secretary ofthe Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on hiselection as State President.

He affirmed that Chinaalways attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic cooperativepartnership with Vietnam,and will make all-out efforts, together with Vietnam, to preserve, consolidateand develop the relationship, for the interests of the two countries’ people.

He described the fruitful bilateral defence ties as a modelof the Vietnam-China relationship, stressing that China’sCentral Military Commission stands ready to share its experience in army buildingwith Vietnam.

For his part, Lich thanked Chinafor its support to Vietnamin the past national liberation and the present cause of national construction.

Vietnamalways wishes to develop the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership ina sustainable fashion and considers it a top priority in its foreign policy, henoted.

Echoing Xu’s view on the fine defence cooperation, Lich saidthe collaboration is always an important pillar of the Vietnam-China relations.

Host and guest agreed that both sides should observeagreements reached by Vietnamese and Chinese senior leaders, especially theagreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, inorder to avoid conflicts, and handle disputes peacefully on the basis of respectfor legitimate rights of each other in line with international law.

Armies must take the lead in these efforts, they said,calling for timely information exchange and joint efforts to deal with emergingincidents and prevent them from affecting the bilateral ties.

On October 27 afternoon, Defence Minister Lich held talkswith his Chinese counterpart Wei, who described the Vietnamese delegation’s Chinavisit and attendance at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum as a vivid manifestation ofcooperation and friendship between the two Parties, States and armies.


Chinaalways wants to maintain and promote the comprehensive strategic cooperationpartnership, covering defence affiliation, he reiterated.

Lich applauded the eighth Beijing Xiangshan Forum organised bythe Chinese Defence Ministry, while emphasising that Vietnam always placesimportance on the traditional friendship with China and considers the country aleading partner.

Therefore, the visit aims to affirm the political trust andimplement common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two countries,contributing to enhancing cooperation between the two countries in general andtheir armies in particular.

The ministers informed each other about socio-economicsituation in each country.

Regarding the defence ties, they took note of high-levelmeetings, exchanges between young officers, joint training and patrols and UNpeacekeeping operations, particularly cooperation between military doctors ofthe two countries in providing health care for residents living along thecommon border line, and border defence friendship exchanges.

Both sides held that the defence ties should continue to bea pillar of relations between the Parties and States, and the collaborationshould be stepped up to bring about pragmatic outcomes, contributing toincreasing mutual political trust and the comprehensive strategic cooperativepartnership.

They agreed to continue to fully implement the joint visionon defence cooperation with focus on high-level meetings, maintain the defencestrategic dialogue mechanism, bring into full play hotlines, maintain jointfishery patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin between naval forces and coastguards ofthe two countries, join hands in training, and work on possibility to cooperatein defence industry.

The two sides will also share experience in army building,particularly Party work and political affairs; step up affiliation incommunications, helping Vietnamese and Chinese people understand more about thebilateral relations; thwart plots of hostile forces that aim to take advantageof limitations to undermine the relationship; and forge collaboration in UNpeacekeeping operations.

They will consult and support each other at multilateralforums in order to preserve peace, stability and development in the region andthe world at large.

Wei stressed that China backs and is willing to cooperatewith Vietnam to help the country successfully assume the ASEAN Chair in 2020,and raise initiatives to promote the ASEAN-China relationship.

Meanwhile, Lich said Vietnamsupports Chinain dealing with global issues, especially in consolidating peace, stability anddevelopment in the region and the world.

During his stay in China, Minister Lich visited families ofChinese experts and advisors who helped Vietnam in national safeguarding in thepast, the PLA National Defence University and a Chinese military unit.-VNA