HA NOI (VNS)— The fourth Viet Nam-China strategic defence dialogue was an important milestone as the two countries marked 10 years since the signing of an agreement on defence co-operation, said Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh.
This was an occasion for both sides to review their cooperation over the past decade, Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Vinh told Beijing-based Vietnam News Agency correspondents.
The Deputy Minister said the two sides confirmed the soundness of the document, which had helped promote bilateral defence co-operation in terms of quantity and quality.
Defence co-operation had become an important part of the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic partnership, he said, adding that Viet Nam and China had agreed to outline an orientation for further cooperation in the 2013-2016 period and to 2020 with more plentiful, specific and practical contents.
Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan also said that the dialogue on Wednesday had been very practical, honest and frank, Vinh said.
The two sides did not avoid issues on which they held different viewpoints, and discussed crucial common perceptions on the need to consolidate their defence relations in order to build the Viet Nam-China friendship and co-operation for mutual development, Vinh quoted the Chinese defence leader as saying.
Another highlight of the dialogue was the inauguration of a hotline directly connecting the two defence ministries, he said, adding that this demonstrated a close-knit and regular connection which usually only appears among close neighbouring countries.
The issue of building strategic trust between the two defence ministries was mentioned at a meeting on the sidelines of the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore between Deputy Minister Vinh and head of the Chinese defence delegation to the event Qi Jianguo, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
At the defence dialogue between Viet Nam and China , the two sides once again discussed the issue, Vinh said, adding that they even proposed detailed tasks to realise it.
Viet Nam had proposed the two countries signed an agreement not to use force or threaten to use force on the East Sea. The Chinese side acknowledged the proposal and was studying the issue.
Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan said meanwhile the two armies must respect declarations and commitments already made between the two countries which contained the stipulation not to use force on the East Sea. Vinh said the confirmation was a positive step to build a peaceful atmosphere between the two armies and peoples and in the region.
Get VietNam News
Post a Comment