Vietnamese and Chinese Defense Ministers meet in Lao Cai

(Dan Tri) - Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang welcomed his Chinese counterpart at Lao Cai border gate to begin the 8th Defense Friendship Exchange between the two countries.

On the morning of April 11, Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense of China, crossed the border in Lao Cai to attend the 8th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

General and Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang waited at the Vietnamese border gate to welcome Senior Lieutenant General Dong Quan.

The two ministers attended the flag-raising ceremony and reviewed the troops at the border gate.

General Dong Jun appeared in his familiar navy uniform. He was a former naval commander before taking office as China's Defense Minister.

Two generals attended the ceremony to salute and paint the 102nd milestone on the Vietnamese side.

The two ministers planted a souvenir star apple tree on the bank of the Nam Thi River, the natural border between the two countries.

After leaving the border gate, the two ministers visited the Vietnam-China Friendship Cultural House in Ban Phiet. The building was inaugurated to celebrate the 8th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange. In the cultural house, photos of the meeting between the two countries' senior leaders were hung. General Phan Van Giang told his Chinese counterpart that these photos were taken "before we were born".

Visiting Kim Dong Primary School (Lao Cai City), the two ministers were given red scarves by the students.

The two ministers took souvenir photos with teachers and students of Kim Dong Primary School.

Returning to the Lao Cai Provincial Conference Center, the two ministers held talks and signed cooperation documents. "This morning, since setting foot on the beautiful land of Vietnam, we have felt very happy. We deeply feel the friendship that Vietnamese comrades have for us," Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun shared with Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang. He also said that Lao Cai, Vietnam is his first foreign destination as Chinese Minister of Defense.

On April 12, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang is also expected to visit the Hekou International Border Gate (China) to carry out friendly exchange activities in the neighboring country. In the photo is a banner mounted on a building on the Chinese side.