Lang Son (VNA) - Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang held talks with his Chinese counterpart Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun in the northern border province of Lang Son on April 17, within the framework of the 9th Vietnam–China Border Defence Friendship Exchange.

Giang emphasised that activities held prior to the exchange, such as medical check-ups and treatment, and the distribution of medicine for border people, exchange activities of the two countries’ people, students, and young officers, have contributed to realising the Vietnam-China Year of Humanistic Exchange.

These activities also serve as a crucial foundation for jointly maintaining a stable borderline and border markers, while promoting development cooperation between the two countries, he said, adding that this is also the first time a joint patrol has been conducted in the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin between the two navies within the framework of the programme.

According to the Vietnamese minister, based on the common perceptions reached by high-ranking leaders, the bilateral defence cooperation has been actively promoted and effectively implemented, becoming one of the important pillars in the relationship between the two nations.

Affirming that Vietnam always remembers the sincere and meaningful assistance of the Party, Government, army, and people of China during Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence, as well as its current nation building process, Gen. Giang stated that in early April, his ministry successfully completed the restoration and enhancement of the Chinese martyr cemeteries in Vietnam.

In the time ahead, based on the shared perceptions of both countries’ leaders, especially following the current state visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, he proposed both sides focus on several key areas of cooperation. These areas include delegation exchanges, maintaining regular cooperation mechanisms, strengthening party work, political work, and promoting political exchanges, and boosting cooperation between border military regions, navies, and coast guards, land and sea borders, and defence industry cooperation.

During the talks, both sides shared views on the global and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. Giang affirmed that Vietnam consistently follows its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations. In addition, it seeks to be a friend to all nations, places particular importance on its friendly relations with neighbouring countries, and has always been steadfast in its “Four No’s” defence policy.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam remains firm and persistent in solving the matter through peaceful means, adhering to the common understanding between the high-ranking leaders of both Vietnam and China, and respecting international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam hopes that China and ASEAN will soon sign a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The Vietnamese minister took this occasion to invite his Chinese counterpart to attend the national-level celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification to be held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30, and invite the Chinese ministry to send a delegation to join the military parade this time.

Minister Dong emphasised that the exchange, held right after the state visit to Vietnam by the top Chinese leader, demonstrates the determination of the two Parties, two Governments, and two peoples to jointly foster the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China, contributing to deepening their Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

൲ On this occasion, the two ministers witnessed the signing of a framework document for the twinning relationship between the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Station under Lang Son province’s Border Guard, and the Ping Xiang border defence talks and meeting station, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Border Guard./.