BEIJING, April 17 -- From April 16 to 17, Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun and Vietnamese Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang jointly presided over the 9th China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange and held talks.
Admiral Dong Jun said that Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has just paid a successful state visit to Vietnam, during which the leaders of the two parties and two countries have jointly planned a better future for China-Vietnam ties. "The two militaries should be aligned with the relationship orientation of 'comrades and brothers', further enhance strategic communication, deepen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, improve the quality and effectiveness of border defense friendly exchanges, continuously expand pragmatic cooperation, and make greater contributions to accelerating the construction of a strategically significant China-Vietnam community with a shared future," he stated.
General Phan Van Giang said that under the leadership and promotion of leaders from both parties and countries, the current bilateral relationship is going well, and political mutual trust is getting strengthened. Vietnam firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports the cause of China's national reunification. "As an important part of the bilateral relationship, the cooperation between the two militaries has been continuously deepened and achieved remarkable results. Vietnam is willing to join hands with China to build a more pragmatic pillar of security cooperation and bring more benefits to the two countries and their people," he said.
During the exchange, Admiral Dong Jun and General Phan Van Giang jointly inspected border troops, visited the smart ports, schools and villages, planted friendship trees together, watched the launching ceremony of the China-Vietnam joint patrol in the waters of the Beibu Gulf via video link, and witnessed the signing of relevant cooperation documents.