Vietnamese, Chinese defence ministers hold talks​

The two ministers tour the medical, search and rescue equipment and supplies presented to the Vietnamese Defence Ministry by the Chinese Defence Ministry

During their talks, the two ministers affirmed that Viet Nam-China defence cooperation has seen progress in recent times, deserving to be an important pillar in the all-round relations between the two Parties and countries.

The ministers shared the view that recent progress in defence ties demonstrates the high political trust between the two countries.

They spoke highly of the cooperation activities that have been carried out in a relatively comprehensive manner with practical content, matching the demand and capacity of each side. 

High-level meetings and mutual visits by leaders of the two militaries have been maintained. Meanwhile, some cooperation mechanisms have been set up and expanded, including the defence strategy dialogue, young officers’ exchanges, joint patrols on the Gulf of Tonkin, border defence friendship exchanges, and cooperation activities between border military zones, they noted.

They determined 2019 as the year for breakthroughs in ties between the two armies towards celebrating the 70th anniversary of Viet Nam-China diplomatic relations in 2020.

They agreed to continue enhancing defence links in terms of Party-related and political works; complete joint historical studies and documentaries; intensify cooperation in military medicine, the defence industry, and United Nations peacekeeping; and foster ties between the countries’ naval and air force services.

Regarding the existing issues between the two countries, both sides agreed to persevere in resolving obstacles by peaceful means, creating solid trust and joining hands to build a peaceful environment in the East Sea.

They affirmed that a peaceful environment in the East Sea is not only for China or Viet Nam alone, but also for partners who have the goodwill to cooperate with the two countries for mutual development.

At the talks, Gen. Lich thanked China’s Central Military Commission and Defence Ministry for presenting the Vietnamese Defence Ministry with some equipment and supplies in service of medical, search and rescue missions, considering this a significant symbol marking new progress in relations between the two armies.

On the occasion, the two defence ministers witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on military medicine cooperation between the two defence ministries.

Gen. Lich informed and invited his Chinese counterpart to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM ) as well as send naval vessels to the maritime security drill and the international naval parade in 2020 as Viet Nam serves as the ASEAN Chair.

Following the talks, the officers witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements between the two ministries’ relevant agencies, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on military medicine cooperation, an agreement on military staff training in the 2019-2020 academic year, and an MoU on military education between the National Defence Academy of Viet Nam and the National Defence University of China. The Chinese defence ministry also presented medical and search and rescue equipment to its Vietnamese counterpart.

Earlier on the same day, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich chaired an official welcoming ceremony for the high-ranking Chinese military delegation./.

By Vien Nhu