Vietnam, China forge defence cooperation

Beijing (VNA) – Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich met with Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, on the sidelines of the 9th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in the Chinese capital city on October 22.

At the meeting, Lich highlighted the significance of the forum where participating countries shared their viewpoints on major regional and global security issues.

Both officers agreed that the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has reaped substantial and practical outcomes over the recent past.

The common perceptions reached by Party and State leaders of the two countries have created a firm foundation to consolidate mutual political trust and promote bilateral ties in a healthy and sustainable manner, they said, noting that defence cooperation has become one of the pillars of the Vietnam-China relationship.

Lich suggested the two sides increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high level, continue to share experience in army building, maintain the ministerial-level defence policy dialogue mechanism, actively prepare for the sixth border defence friendship exchange and enhance collaboration in joining the UN peacekeeping operations.

The officers said Vietnam and China should hold regular talks to candidly and sincerely discuss outstanding issues in bilateral ties so as to properly address them in the spirit of high-level agreements reached by leaders of the two countries, for the sake of their people, and for peace, stability and development in the region.

Regarding the complex global and regional situation, Xu stressed the need for countries to increase dialogue and step up cooperation to maintain a peaceful and stable environment, rather than confrontations.

Lich said joint efforts of all countries could help to cope with common security challenges.

The Vietnamese minister used the occasion to invite Xu to visit Vietnam. The host accepted the invitation and promised to arrange an early visit./.