Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan in the northern Vietnamese border province of Lao Cai on May 15.

This is the first time the two countries’ defence ministers have met at the border area, a reflection of their determination to consolidate defence cooperation and the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Thanh said.

He added that the meeting also aimed to realise and implement the Parties’ and States’ agreements in intensifying the exchange of high-level defence delegations and coordination between border guard forces to enhance the two countries’ solidarity and political trust.

For his part, Chang also hailed the significance of the meeting to build a shared border of peace, friendship and stability.

Both expressed their belief that the second Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange, which is being held in Lao Cai and China’s Yunnan province from May 15-18, will contribute to tightening the two armies’ relations.-VNA