Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang (right) and Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang hosted a reception for newly-appointed Chinese Ambassador to Việt Nam He Wei in Hà Nội on Friday.

The Chinese ambassador expressed his hope to fulfil all duties during his tenure, thus helping to develop the relations between the two nations and the two armies to a new height.

Giang congratulated He on his appointment, expressing confidence that the diplomat will have a successful term and play a vital role in fostering the relationship between the two Parties and countries, particularly in defence cooperation.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will provide full support and create favourable conditions for the ambassador to successfully carry out his responsibilities, he added.

Giang highlighted the continuous development of the bilateral relationship, which has grown more practically and effectively in recent times, achieving significant milestones, further deepening and enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and speeding up the building of a Việt Nam- China community with a shared future.

According to the minister, the bilateral defence cooperation remains one of the key pillars of the relationship between the two countries, which is reflected in various practical and effective joint activities, such as delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels. High-level meetings between leaders of the Central Military Commissions and the Ministries of National Defence of Việt Nam and China have been promoted by both sides, helping to set strategic orientations for further strengthening defence ties.

Cooperation between military services, and in education and training, defence industry, and joint research has been promoted, while collaboration between land border protection forces, the Navies and Coast Guard forces of the two nations has been also strengthened.

Giang urged both sides to focus on promoting the agreed contents and areas of cooperation in the time to come, contributing to realising the joint declaration on promoting more practical defence and security cooperation, with a particular emphasis on delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones.

He also expressed his desire to welcome leaders from the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence of China to attend the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People's Army and the 2nd Việt Nam International Defence Expo, scheduled to take place in December. The minister also invited the ambassador to participate in these important events hosted by Việt Nam's Ministry of National Defence. — VNS