Vietnam and China have affirmed to continue maintaining their comprehensive strategic cooperation, including that between their naval and border guard forces.

The two sides made the affirmation during a meeting between Vietnam’s Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan in Beijing on June 6.

They emphasised the necessity of their cooperation and consultation to engage in multilateral security structures for peace and interest of each country’s people.

They also mentioned existing issues between the two nations, saying that the two armies should serve as advisors to the two Parties and State in consistently settling disputes appropriately by peaceful talks and friendly consultation in accordance to international law as well as fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

The Vietnamese side suggested the two countries work towards the signing of an agreement to not use force and threaten to use force at sea, expand cooperative fields, especially naval cooperation, and grasp thoroughly humane treatment of fishermen working peacefully at sea.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Vinh informed the host of the outcomes of the fourth Vietnam-China strategic defence dialogue in Beijing on June 5, saying that they help build and foster strategic trust between the two armies in particular and between the two Parties, States and peoples in general.

For his part, Chang Wanquan affirmed that his country persistently pursues the path of peaceful development and sees the development of other countries, including Vietnam , as its opportunity.

Beijing wants to continue maintaining the friendship between the two armies and improving cooperation quality as well as consistently settle sensitive issues appropriately with no impacts on the bilateral ties, Chang said.

The Chinese minister also asserted that his country is ready to share and cooperate with Vietnam in the UN’s peacekeeping activities.-VNA