The dialogue was held in Beijing, China, on August 28 under the chairmanship of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant-General Nguyen Chi Vinh, and Chinese Senior Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian.

Both sides agreed to take measures to promote bilateral cooperation in national defense and reached a common agreement on many issues which strengthened the Vietnam-China friendship.

Promoting information and communication

Addressing the dialogue, Lieutenant-General Vinh and Senior Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian agreed that, under the  motto of “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation, long-lasting stability, and looking forwards to the future” in the spirit of “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners”, the relationship between the two Parties and States continues to develop in accordance with a comprehensive strategic partnership. Economic relations and trade have developed rapidly while cultural exchanges among people have also increased. In addition, thousands of Vietnamese students are now studying in China.

Vietnam and China have seen strong cooperative development in national defense. Both sides have regularly exchanged high-level delegations to strengthen the reliability, mutual understanding, and close relationship between the armies of both nations. The Vietnamese Minister of National Defense, General Phung Quang Thanh, paid an official visit to China last year and Senior Lieutenant General Liang Guang Lie attended the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting (ADMM) Plus in Vietnam late last year. Senior Lieutenant General Gua Bo Xiong also came to Vietnam on an official visit earlier this year.

At the dialogue, both sides agreed to continue to promote cooperation in through the exchange of delegations, the completion of the hotline between the two defense ministries, and expanding long and short term military training. China agreed to share experiences with Vietnam on getting involved in preserving peace at the United Nations. They stressed the need to promote communication and information so that Vietnamese soldiers and people learn more about the traditional friendship, practical cooperation among the two armies and people.

Both sides also spent time discussing the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, especially accelerating the involvement of big countries in the Asia-Pacific region. “We should make an in-depth study of the consequences of involvement to build a peaceful and stable region”, said General Vinh, adding that the most important reason is attributed to internal affairs arose among nations.

Towards a mutually beneficial solution

With a constructive spirit of comradery, Lieutenant-General Vinh and Senior Lieutenant General Ma discussed issues that have arisen in the relationship between the two nations. Senior Lieutenant General Ma said the most sensitive issue is the dispute over sovereignty in the East Sea. He added that both countries should deal with the issue properly for the sake of the traditional Vietnam-China relationship and regional stability.

Lieutenant General Vinh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing its relationship with China and hopes to find a common solution that benefits both countries. He also stated that East Sea issue has three different elements that associated with it including the Declaration of the Sovereignty of related parties and the treatment of the Vietnam and China relationship in both bilateral and multilateral forums. Vietnam and China has made many declarations of sovereignty at different periods of time. He said it is important for both countries to resolve the problem, but still respect each other’s history and obey international laws.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense said that East Sea issue should be resolved following international laws. He emphasized that disputes over sovereignty between Vietnam and China should be resolved bilaterally and transparently. He added that, in the interest of the country, Vietnam has no intention to internationalize issues between itself and China.

Mr Vinh also said that the only way to defend and develop the country is to preserve independence and territorial sovereignty and strengthen the good relationship with the international community. Vietnam is a reliable partner of all nations in the world. If Vietnam needs support, sympathy, cooperation and development, there is no better nation to ask than this neighboring country with a population of more than 1 billion people and a prestigious status in the world.

Mr Vinh stated that it is necessary to strengthen publicity and transparency at forums so that people in both countries, as well as the international community, will learn more about the nature of the East Sea issue.

Currently, hostile forces have made two allegations. First, that Vietnam has to rely on the US to fight against China and second, that Vietnam conceded its territory to China. These allegations have had negative impacts on the Vietnamese Party and State as well as the relationship between Vietnam and China.

“We should make it clear to people of both nations that they should learn more about the facts and that, although there are still shortcomings in the Vietnam-China relationship, the two Parties and States have committed to dealing with the issue through peaceful solutions in accordance with international laws," Mr Vinh said.

He emphasized that, in fact, China did not pledge to take any of Vietnam’s land or sea areas and Vietnam will never concede its territory groundlessly. He added that Vietnam will also never rely on any other nation to fight against China. Vietnam is willing to cooperate with China for mutual development and seek acceptable solutions. He stressed that both sides should not use violence to deal with the issue.

Mr Vinh also expressed his hope that the positive results of the dialogue will give fresh impetus to cooperation on national defense between Vietnam and China, and make active contributions to consolidating and developing solidarity and friendship between the two nations.