China, Vietnam defense chiefs meet on border

State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met with Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh on Friday in Lao Cai, Vietnam, and voiced optimism on boosting bilateral exchanges regarding border defense.

The meeting was part of the second high-level border dialogue between the Chinese and Vietnamese militaries.

The China-Vietnam friendship has overcome challenges posed by the changing international situation, Chang said.

Since diplomatic relations were established 65 years ago, both countries have "consistently expanded and deepened cooperation" in a number of fields, including politics, economy and trade, culture, science and technology, Chang said.

Chang also noted that China cherishes the relationship and will implement the important consensus reached by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Phu Trong.

China will uphold the principles of the relationship and comprehensive cooperation as well as the spirit of "Good Neighbors, Good Friends, Good Comrades and Good Partners", Chang said.

China will continue to maintain high-level contact between the two militaries, expand cooperation, strengthen exchanges regarding border defense, and boost the lasting and healthy bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Chang said.

Thanh said he fully agreed with the definition offered by his Chinese counterpart on the ties between the two countries and the military-to-military relationship.

Vietnamese people will never forget the tremendous help China gave when Vietnam was striving for national liberation and the unification of the country, Thanh said.

The Vietnamese are ready to work along with China and continue to promote cooperation in various fields, including between the two militaries, to boost ties, better benefit the people of both countries and make new contributions to ensuring regional peace and stability, he added.

The two countries also embarked on a frank and in-depth exchange of views on the South China Sea issue and other topics of common concern.

Thanh extended an invitation to Chang to visit Vietnam at his convenience. Chang expressed his appreciation and accepted the invitation with gratitude.

In the afternoon, Chang and Thanh attended a symposium on the China-Vietnam friendship between the two militaries.

Other senior officials attending the activities included Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh.