Hanoi (VNA)ꦦ – The ninth Vietnam – China Border Defence Friendship Exchange officially kicked off on April 16.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang and Chinese Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun are co-chairing the event.
The programme began in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China on April 16 and will continue in Lang Son province of Vietnam the following day.
Key activities on April 16 in China include an official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation, a visit to the Youyi Guan tourism area, a tour of the Youyi Guan border guard company, and a tree-planting ceremony. The two defence ministers will witness online the 38th joint naval patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin. This marks the first time that the naval forces from both countries have taken part in the Border Defence Friendship Exchange.
Minister Dong Jun and Minister Phan Van Giang (Photo: qdnd.vn)
The delegations will also visit the smart border gate model at the Youyi Guan border gate, Primary School No. 4 in Pingxiang city, and the model village of Zhou Lian in Ningming county. The day concludes with a banquet and a farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation.
On April 17, in Vietnam, the main activities are scheduled to include a welcome ceremony for the Chinese delegation, a tree-planting ceremony, a visit to the Dong Dang Primary School and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly constructed multipurpose building, a visit to the border guard post of the Huu Nghi International Border Gate, a tour of the Viettel Military Industry - Telecoms Group’s logistics park, official talks, and a signing ceremony for cooperation documents.
As an annual event held in border provinces of both countries, the Vietnam – China Border Defence Friendship Exchange has seen continuous growth, with a diverse range of meaningful and practical activities. Over the years, the programme, which holds political significance, has contributed to bilateral defence cooperation, helping to deepen relations between the two countries and their militaries.
This year’s event follows the state visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping from April 14 to 15. During the visit, the two sides issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and advancing the building of a Vietnam – China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
In particular, the two sides reaffirmed the need to a more substantive pillar of defence and security cooperation, emphasising its role in strengthening the strategic trust between the two Parties and the two countries.
The ninth Vietnam – China Border Defence Friendship Exchange reaffirms the crucial role of defence cooperation and the two defence ministries in fostering the traditional friendship and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China. Besides, the event is especially meaningful as it takes place in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the countries' diplomatic ties (January 18, 1950–2025) and the Year of Vietnam – China Humanistic Exchange 2025./.
The ninth border defence friendship exchange between Vietnam and China is scheduled to take place in Vietnam’s northern province of Lang Son and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on April 16-17.
Vietnamese and Chinese localities pledged to facilitate trade and promote cross-border economic development. Joint patrols and enhanced surveillance will be intensified in areas prone to criminal activity. They agreed to proactively coordinate the verification, repatriation, and reception of individuals involved in illegal border crossings.
According to China’s Global Times, neighbouring countries are China's priority in its diplomacy, and China always gives Vietnam a high priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. Likewise, Vietnam has always regarded the development of relations with China as a consistent stand and a top priority in its foreign policy
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
