Party General Secretary suggests fostering Vietnam - China defense ties

At a reception on October 24 for Senior Lieutenant General Zhang Youxia, Politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, who was on a working visit to Vietnam, Party General Secretary To Lam suggested Vietnamese and Chinese armies strengthen their cooperation, according to a report from the Vietnam news Agency.

Mr. Lam, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission of Vietnam, highly valued the significance of General Zhang’s visit to the implementation of the common perceptions reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, as well as its contribution to the bilateral defense - security cooperation – an important pillar of the Vietnam - China relations.

The Party leader asked General Zhang to convey his regards to Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, who is also Chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission.

Mr. Lam congratulated China on its achievements over the past 75 years, since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, saying the country has played an increasingly active role in peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large.

General Zhang, in reply, conveyed greetings from President Xi to Mr. Lam and commended Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements over the past 40 years of reform. The official said he believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), led by General Secretary Lam, Vietnam will successfully fulfill the goals for the centenary of the CPV in 2030 and the 100th founding anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in 2045.

The two sides noted with pleasure the active and remarkable strides of the relations between the two Parties and countries since the ties were elevated to a Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, along with the growing defense cooperation, which has become increasingly practical and effective, helping strengthen political trust and reflect the solidarity and friendship between the two Parties, countries, and armies.

Mr. Lam affirmed that the Party, State, army, and people of Vietnam always bear in mind the significant support from their Chinese counterparts for the past revolutionary cause and struggles for national independence and liberation, as well as for the building of socialism today.

Lauding cooperation between the two central military commissions and defense ministries, the Party leader asked the two armies to further promote their political trust through regular meetings and exchanges between their leaders, along with the effective implementation of cooperation mechanisms.

The two armies should further coordinate in better managing and resolving differences and maintaining peace and stability at sea, he said, noting differences should be settled through peaceful measures and in accordance with the high-level common perceptions and international law, for peace and stability in the region and the world.