Vietnam expects stronger defence ties with China

PM Chinh hosted a reception on October 26 in Hanoi for Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China.

During the reception, PM Chinh highlighted the visit by Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang and his delegation as a contribution to realizing the building of the joint community with a shared future which carries great strategic significance.

The Vietnamese cabinet leader used the occasion to congratulate China on the 75th anniversary of its National Day and expressed his firm belief that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping as the "nucleus", the neighbouring country will achieve even greater achievements in the time ahead.

Affirming that relations with the Chinese side are an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority for the country, PM Chinh said that during his working trip to attend the expanded BRICS Summit in Russia's Kazan city, he had a meeting with Party General Secretary and President Xi. The two sides were pleased and agreed to continue propelling diplomatic relations forward.

For its part, the Chinese official expressed his joy at witnessing the peaceful life of the Vietnamese people, social harmony, and vibrant economic development. He outlined his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country's renovation and socialist building would achieve even greater feats in the future.

Vietnam and China are neighbours sharing mountains and rivers and boasting a traditional friendship that features both comradeship and fraternity, Zhang emphasized, while saying that in the current context, the two countries need to continue to strengthen their friendly relations. This visit by his delegation therefore aims to ramp up defence and security co-operation between the two countries, effectively carry out collaboration, and hold exchanges between the two armies in an increasingly deeper and more substantial manner.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang said that he and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang, deputy secretary of the Central Military Commission, had just had a very successful meeting, reaching many common perceptions and specific agreements in accordance with signed documents and agreements between both nations' top leaders.

The Chinese official highlighted the huge potential that exists for defence co-operation between the two countries and stated his assurance of the Chinese army's readiness to work, together with the Vietnamese army, to contribute to promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, the Vietnam-China community of a shared future which has strategic significance.

Regarding the maritime issues, Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang said that the two sides must adhere to high-level common perceptions, control disagreements, and resolve issues satisfactorily.PM Chinh hailed the outcomes of the talks between Minister Giang and Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang and also informed the Chinese guest about Vietnam's foreign and defence policy.

Vietnam respects differences, exploits similarities, looks to the future, and realises the common perception of the two countries' senior leaders, PM Chinh told his guest.

PM Chinh suggested that the two defence ministries continue to strengthen exchanges and mutual trust, work together, and competently implement the common perception agreed upon by the senior leaders, while continuing to co-ordinate well in managing land and sea borders.

He asked the Chinese side to support and attend the second Vietnam International Defence Exhibition slated for December in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army.

Regarding sea-related issues, PM Chinh proposed that both sides strictly implement high levels of common perception; properly handle the issue of fishing vessels and fishermen in a humanitarian spirit; promptly control the situation at sea; fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon conclude negotiations on a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).