Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Chí Vịnh speaks to Vietnam News Agency about the fifth Việt Nam-China border defence friendship exchange, which took place recently.

How did the fifth Việt Nam-China border defence friendship exchange go?

Like the previous editions, the event this year was designed to solidify defence ties between the two armies, contributing to boosting relations between the two Parties, States and nations.

On November 19, a delegation of the Việt Nam People’s Army led by Defence Minister Ngô Xuân Lịch participated in exchange activities in Long Zhou, including talks between the two defence ministers and visits to Chinese military units, local schools and a memorial site dedicated to Việt Nam’s late President Hồ Chí Minh. 

The next day, the Chinese delegation led by Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe arrived in Cao Bằng, where they attended a joint drill on disaster and disease relief aid, visited military medical units and joined a discussion and art exchange.

Defence ministers of the two countries agreed on the need to make the exchange an official event in bilateral defence ties.

The event this year was also attended and welcomed by the people from both countries: from Phục Hoà District of Việt Nam’s Cao Bằng Province and from Long Zhou in Chong Zuo city of Chinese Guangxi Province. Why did they participate?

It was a delight to us to see the enthusiastic participation of the people from both countries in the exchange, who joined in activities with the armed forces instead of being just audiences. Thanks to the involvement, local people have become aware of the importance of defence co-operation from the high level down to the grassroots level through practical and useful activities such as joint work in search and rescue and military medical care.

On that basis, relations between border localities will grow across many aspects.

Especially, the Vietnamese defence ministry was given assistance in building a new culture centre for Phục Hoà District with the hope it can contribute to the development of the area.

How will the success of the event contribute to defence relations between Việt Nam and China?

There are many things to do to enhance defence ties between Việt Nam and China, with the defence border friendship exchange just one of them. The exchange is unique to Việt Nam and China, due to the fact the two countries share a border along with time-honoured solidarity and friendship.

The exchange has its origin in the common perception of the two parties and states on optimising the favourable conditions of adjacent locations and similarities in political regimes.

Therefore, the exchange will contribute positively to bilateral defence relations, and more should be done to strengthen national defence while enhancing bilateral defence ties with China and maintaining peace and friendship with neighbouring countries.

It is important to underline the central role played by the border guard force in the defence border friendship exchange. The force has a special role in enforcing law, safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining peace and friendship with our neighbouring countries China, Laos and Cambodia.

This force also greatly supports local people, as they can either be teachers for small kids, or they can be nurses to help local residents with medical issues. I want to praise them and thank them for the efforts they have made not only in defence but in the task to preserve peace. — VNS