The event attracted nearly 90 reports by leaders, militaryscientists and witnesses during the war.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut.Gen Le Chiem said when Vietnam was pooling resources for national development followingthe liberation victory on April 30, 1975, Cambodia’s Pol Pot - Ieng Sary regimebacked by external forces launched a border war while beginning the brutal genocidalpolicy against Cambodian people.
Only within four years, the regime killed nearly 3 millionCambodians, destroyed almost social infrastructure and pushed Khmer nation tothe brink of genocide.
In Vietnam, the Pol Pot - Ieng Sary regime distorted itshistory, incited national hatred, deployed tens of army divisions and regimentsto destroy villages and kill residents, even the elderly, women and children,seriously violating Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty and territorialintegrity.
In face of such invasion, Vietnam together with theCambodian United Front for National Salvation launched counter-attacks andtoppled the regime on January 7, 1979.
Deputy Director of the General Political Department underthe Vietnam People’s Army Nguyen Trong Nghia highlighted the significance ofthe victory of the southwest border defence war, saying that it not only protectedthe territorial integrity but also saved Cambodian people from genocide,creating conditions to restore friendship and solidarity between the twocountries’ Parties and people.
Director of the Military History Institute of Vietnam NguyenHoang Nhien said January 7, 1979 has become a historical milestone oftransparent and loyal solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia,especially in times of difficulty.
Co-organised by the Defence Ministry and the Party CentralCommittee’s Information and Education Commission, the event featured the roleand historic significance of the victory of the border defence war and fightingalliance between the Vietnamese and Cambodian armies and people, contributingto strengthening bilateral cooperation in national defence-security, steppingup regional and global integration in the new period.-VNA