Vietnam - China border defense friendship exchange...

On the morning of April 17, Senior Lieutenant General Dong Jun, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Minister of National Defense of China, and a high-ranking delegation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense visited Lang Son province to attend activities organized following the successful exchange activities in China. Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, member of the Politburo, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense, presided over the welcoming ceremony for Minister Dong Jun. Also attending the welcoming ceremony were leaders of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), the General Department of Politics of the VPA, and local authorities and people.

At the official welcoming ceremony at the Friendship International Border Gate, people on both sides of the road chanted the slogan “Vietnam-China friendship, Vietnam-China solidarity” in an atmosphere of friendship. Also here, the two Ministers planted friendship trees and visited the garden planted by young soldiers of the two countries in the border gate area, conveying the message of determination to foster solidarity, friendship, and the Vietnam-China relationship to be forever green and everlasting.

“Little messenger” of Vietnam - China friendship

After the welcoming ceremony, the two Ministers visited Dong Dang Primary School (Lang Son) and cut the ribbon to inaugurate the multi-purpose building donated by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to the school. Teachers and students of the school were proud to welcome the Ministers of National Defense of the two countries to visit and expressed their belief that the young generation will continue to preserve, cultivate and strengthen the solidarity and friendship tradition between the two neighboring countries. Expressing her joy, Principal Hoang Thu Hang said that along with the task of teaching and learning, the school also actively propagates and educates generations of teachers and students about the solidarity and friendship, the fine traditions between Vietnam and China, especially the value of studying in a peaceful environment.

On the school stage, students from Dong Dang Primary School and Primary School No. 4, Pingxiang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region performed songs praising the friendship between Vietnam and China. On this occasion, students from Primary School No. 4, Pingxiang City had cultural exchange activities, experienced culture and learned about Vietnamese history. These meaningful activities between young people in the border area contributed to enhancing exchanges, cooperation, and promoting mutual understanding between the authorities and people in the border areas of the two countries.

Sharing with reporters, Ms. Chieu Thuy Hoan, Principal of Primary School No. 4, Bang Tuong City, said that the school's regular educational activities are to teach students about the history and culture of Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam. The school especially focuses on educational content about China-Vietnam friendship so that students can clearly understand the relationship between the two countries.

Minister Phan Van Giang presided over the welcoming ceremony for the Chinese Minister of National Defense to Vietnam to attend exchange activities. Photo: TUAN HUY

For his part, Vice Chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liao Pinhu expressed his hope that students from both countries will increase exchange activities, visits, learning experiences, and cultural experiences so that more and more children can become "little ambassadors" of Vietnam-China friendship.

Before saying goodbye to teachers and students of the school, the two Ministers presented meaningful gifts, with the hope that the school will continue to have many activities to inspire students' aspirations to contribute and multiply the solidarity, attachment, and traditional friendship of the two countries.

Together to protect and build a modern, connected border area

Continuing the meaningful exchange activities in Vietnam, the two Ministers visited the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station. The two Ministers expressed their pleasure at hearing the report on the cooperation and coordination activities between the unit and the Pingxiang Reunion and Talk Station (Border Guard of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region), contributing to the effective management and protection of the border. According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Doan Duy Tien, Head of the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station, in recent years, the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station and the Pingxiang Reunion and Talk Station have regularly coordinated closely in the management and protection of the border and the system of national border markers; effectively deployed border management solutions and implemented the construction of smart border gates under the direction of the Governments of Vietnam and China.

In particular, on this occasion, the Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Guard Station and the Bang Tuong Reunion and Talk Station signed a framework document on twinning under the witness of the two countries' Defense Ministers after concluding talks within the framework of the exchange.

Visiting Viettel Logistics Park Lang Son, Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister Dong Quan listened to an introduction to the activities based on modern technology of Lang Son Logistics Park, including the establishment of a smart border gate model. The deployment of a smart border gate at Huu Nghi International Border Gate will contribute to promoting the circulation of goods between Vietnam and China, towards sharing customs clearance data and connecting software infrastructure to synchronize between the two countries.

Important foundation to jointly maintain a border of friendship, peace and cooperation

At the talks between the two Ministers within the framework of the exchange, Minister Phan Van Giang respectfully thanked Minister Dong Jun and the high-ranking delegation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense for attending the 80th Anniversary of the Founding of the Vietnam People's Army; the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense was very pleased to welcome and meet 27 Chinese veterans and experts who had helped the Vietnamese revolution on this occasion.

Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that pre-exchange activities such as medical examination, treatment, and free medicine provision to help people in border areas; local delegations from both sides, people and students exchanging, young officers exchanging... contributed to realizing the "Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange Year", and at the same time were an important foundation for jointly maintaining stable borders and landmarks, promoting cooperative development between the two countries. For the first time, the exchange witnessed a joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin between the two navies.

Minister Phan Van Giang emphasized that, based on the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders, over the past time, bilateral defense cooperation has been promoted and implemented effectively by both sides, affirming that it is one of the important pillars in the bilateral relationship, especially in the following areas: Exchange of delegations at all levels, especially at the high level; cooperation mechanisms are promoted by both sides; land border cooperation between the two sides is increasingly closer and more intimate. The border management and protection forces and border gates of the two sides continue to proactively and actively coordinate in the fight against crime and border management. Maritime border cooperation is increasingly rich and substantive, accordingly, the navies and coast guards of the two countries continue to effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Cooperation in Party work, political work, cooperation between the military, service branches, coast guard, defense industry, etc. are focused on.

Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam always remembers and is grateful for the wholehearted and righteous assistance of the Party, Government, Army and people of China during the past years of fighting for national independence as well as in the current national construction. In early April 2025, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense completed the restoration and embellishment of Chinese martyrs' cemeteries in Vietnam.

Teachers and students of Dong Dang Primary School warmly welcomed Minister Phan Van Giang and Minister Dong Quan. Photo: TUAN HUY

Based on the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders, especially after the state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, the two Ministers agreed to focus on the following key cooperation contents: Exchange of delegations at all levels, effectively and regularly maintaining cooperation mechanisms; Party work, political work and promoting political exchanges between agencies and units; cooperation between border military regions, navies, and coast guards; cooperation in border management on land and at sea; defense industry...

At the talks, the two sides also shared their views on the world and regional situation and issues of mutual concern. Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam has always been consistent in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; wishes to be friends with all countries, especially attaching importance to friendly relations with neighboring countries; consistently upholds the "four no's" defense policy.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam is determined and persistent in resolving the issue by peaceful means, in compliance with the common perception of the high-ranking leaders of Vietnam and China; in compliance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and hopes that China and ASEAN will soon sign a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

On April 30, Vietnam will solemnly organize a national ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 / April 30, 2025) in Ho Chi Minh City. Minister Phan Van Giang respectfully invites the Chinese Minister of National Defense to attend; respectfully invites the Chinese Ministry of National Defense to send military personnel to participate in the parade and march at the celebration. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to express its gratitude for the valuable assistance of China and peace-loving countries around the world that have supported and assisted Vietnam's cause of national reunification.

For his part, Minister Dong Quan thanked Minister Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense for organizing these activities very carefully. The 9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange Program was a great success.

Minister Dong Jun emphasized that the exchange, held right after the state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, demonstrated the determination of the two Parties, States and peoples to join hands in nurturing the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China, thereby contributing to further deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China.

The talks between the two Ministers were the final activity of the 9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange, concluding another successful exchange with many important and practical results to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (January 18, 1950 / January 18, 2025).

The exchange is an opportunity to strengthen friendship, solidarity, and promote substantive cooperation between border guards, local authorities, and people in the border areas of Vietnam and China, so that from the peaceful border areas, many new opportunities will open up for both sides to cooperate and develop.

PEOPLE'S ARMY NEWSPAPER REPORTERS GROUP

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Source: https://baodaknong.vn/giao-luu-huu-nghi-quoc-phong-bien-gioi-viet-nam-trung-quoc-lan-thu-9-thanh-cong-tot-dep-249781.html