Vietnam, China hold seventh Border Defence Friendship Exchange

Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang (L) and his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei Fenghe at Shuikou International Border Gate (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang (VNA) – Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giangand his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei Fenghe on April 23 co-chairedactivities of the seventh Vietnam-China Border Defence Friendship Exchange inQuang Hoa district of Vietnam’s Cao Bang province and Longzhou county of China’s Guangxi province.

In the morning, the Vietnam People's Army delegation led byGeneral Giang began exchange activities in Longzhou, with the welcome ceremonyfor the delegation chaired by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Wei at Shuikou InternationalBorder Gate.

After painting the milestone there, the delegation planted afriendship tree at the border gate. After that, the two delegations held talksat the county’s Convention Centre.

Speaking at the event, Gen. Giang affirmed that the Party,State, Government and People's Army of Vietnam always attach great importanceto consolidating its traditional friendship and promoting its ComprehensiveStrategic Cooperative Partnership with China, considering this as one of thetop priorities in Vietnam's foreign policy.

The Chinese Defence Minister said that the seventh friendshipexchange, taking place amidst the complex developments of the COVID-19pandemic, demonstrates the important common perception between the two Parties,States and armies; and shows the high respect to each other of the twosides.

He expressed his belief that these activities will furtherstrengthen the China-Vietnam friendship and solidarity, political trust andpractical cooperation, and make them work together in building a peaceful andstable border, so as to bring happiness to both peoples.

An overview of the talks (Photo: VNA)

Regarding cooperation orientations in the coming time, thetwo sides agreed to continue promoting the exchange of delegations at alllevels, especially high-level ones; effectively implementing existing exchangeand cooperation mechanisms, such as the Defence Strategy Dialogue at the deputyministerial level and the Border Defence Friendship Exchange; as well ascooperation between armies, armed forces, academies and schools; and continueto coordinate with and support each other at multilateral military and defenceforums.

It is also necessary to closely coordinate and strictlyimplement the three legal documents on the land border, strictly protect theborder, prevent crimes and illegal entry and exit activities, and prevent thecoronavirus from spreading across the border, they stressed.

For existing problems between the two countries, theyfrankly discussed and agreed to solve them from a strategic height, for thecommon interests of the two countries, by peaceful means and on the basis ofinternational law.

Earlier, the Vietnamese military medical force conducted freemedical examination and treatment and delivered medicines to residents in TraLinh and Ta Lung towns of Cao Bang province.

Within the framework of the exchange, in the afternoon ofApril 23, a welcome ceremony for the Chinese People's Liberation Armydelegation led by Senior Lieutenant General Wei Fenghe is to takeplace at Ta Lung International Border Gate./.

VNA