Join hands to build a peaceful, cooperative and developed Vietnam

Within the framework of the 8th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, on April 11 in Lao Cai province, Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang held talks with Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun.

People in the Vietnam - China border area receive free medical examination and medicine

The 8th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange

Speaking at the talks, Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that the Border Defense Friendship Exchange is a very important activity, contributing to enhancing political trust, mutual understanding, strengthening solidarity, and the connection between the people, local authorities and the two countries' Defense Ministries; joining hands to build a peaceful, friendly, stable, cooperative and developing Vietnam-China border. This year's Border Defense Friendship Exchange has a special significance, marking the 10th anniversary of the exchange.

Bộ trưởng Bộ Quốc phòng Việt Nam Phan Văn Giang đã hội đàm với Bộ trưởng Bộ Quốc phòng Trung Quốc Đổng Quân

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang held talks with Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun. (Photo: Lao Cai Newspaper)

Minister Phan Van Giang emphasized that the Party, Government, Army and People of Vietnam always appreciate the valuable contributions and assistance that the Party, Government, Army and People of China have given to Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in the current national construction. He affirmed that China is always one of the top priorities in Vietnam's foreign policy. Vietnam always holds the consistent viewpoint of attaching importance to building a relationship of solidarity, friendship, long-term stability, solid trust and comprehensive cooperation with China.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, Minister Phan Van Giang expressed his deep gratitude for the assistance that the Party, Government, Army and People of China have given to Vietnam in the struggle for national liberation and reunification. This is a historical event that vividly demonstrates the solidarity, friendship and side-by-side fighting between China and Vietnam.

Minister Phan Van Giang also affirmed that Vietnam has always been consistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; and firmly adhered to the "4 no's" defense policy. Regarding maritime issues, they need to be resolved by peaceful means through negotiations, in compliance with the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders, and together maintain peace and stability at sea. Vietnam supports China's global cooperation initiatives and mechanisms for the common interests of all mankind, for peace and progress of the people of the world, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law.

On this occasion, Minister Phan Van Giang respectfully invited Minister Dong Jun and leaders of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defense, and Chinese defense industry enterprises to attend the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the Second Vietnam International Defense Exhibition.

Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun expressed his pleasure to attend and co-chair the 8th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange. He emphasized that through the exchange, the friendship between the two Parties, States, Armies and peoples will continue to be affirmed.

Minister Dong Jun highly appreciated the preparation and organization of the exchange between the armies and functional forces of the two countries. The 8th Vietnam-China border defense friendship exchange has contributed to concretizing the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders recently, in which the two armies have carried out many practical and effective activities.

Chung tay xây dựng đường biên giới Việt Nam - Trung Quốc hòa bình, hợp tác và phát triển

The two Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the talks. (Photo: mod.gov.vn)

At the talks, the two sides agreed that the defense cooperation relationship in recent times has been promoted, implemented effectively and achieved many positive results, focusing on areas such as: Exchange of delegations, especially high-level delegations; maintaining the effectiveness of the Defense Strategy Dialogue mechanism; promoting training cooperation; Party work, political work; border management and protection.

Regarding border management and protection cooperation, on the basis of signed documents, cooperation between the two countries, especially the border management and protection forces, border military regions and Vietnamese localities has been actively deployed, achieving many practical results; the system of border lines and border markers has been maintained; political security, social order and safety in the border area have been ensured. The border protection forces of the two sides have thoroughly grasped and seriously implemented the three legal documents on the border; promptly detected, prevented, handled and effectively resolved violations in the border area; organized meetings, talks, bilateral patrols; promoted the effectiveness of hotlines; exchanged and established twinning stations and border posts... Border defense cooperation activities and the Border Defense Friendship Exchange mechanism are very important activities, a bright spot, with wide influence, highly appreciated by the senior leaders, Governments, People and Armies of the two countries. After 10 years with 8 very successful organizations, the Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange has become an effective and unique cooperation model; demonstrating the political determination of both sides in strengthening the solidarity, friendship and attachment between the people, local authorities and between the two countries' Ministries of Defense, together building a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.

The two Ministers and the delegations of the two countries' Ministries of Defense took a souvenir photo. (Photo: Lao Cai Newspaper)

Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, thoroughly grasping and implementing the Joint Statement between the two countries on promoting “More substantive defense and security cooperation”, the two sides agreed to continue promoting the exchange of delegations, especially high-level delegations; maintain and promote the effectiveness of annual cooperation mechanisms, such as: Defense Strategy Dialogue; Border defense friendship exchange; Joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin between the two Navies. Promote cooperation in training, Party work, political work, defense industry, military trade, strategic research, United Nations peacekeeping, logistics, military medicine, etc.

At the end of the talks, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries of National Defense on establishing a hotline between the Navy (Vietnam Ministry of National Defense) and the Southern Theater Command (China People's Liberation Army).

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