Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) Lieut. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, has said the setting up of a direct telephone hotline between the Defence Ministries of Vietnam and China is necessary to strengthen cooperation between the two peoples and armies.

While meeting Miao Hongbo, head of the Zhong Nanhai telegraph office on February 25 in Hanoi, Lieut. Gen. Tuan said the security hotline will help the two armies share information on issues of mutual concern in a timely manner.

Miao Hongbo briefed his host on the result of his working session with the VPA’s Information and Communication Arm, which focused on preparations for the establishment of the hotline.

He said the Chinese side will trial necessary equipment and design measures to handle arising problems.

The two nations are working to put the hotline into operation in 2014.-VNA