Defense Minister Phan Van Giang formally invited his Chinese counterpart to attend Vietnam’s 50th Reunification Day and send troops for a military parade.
General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam’s Minister of National Defense, has formally invited China’s Minister of National Defense, General Dong Jun, to attend the country’s national celebration on April 30 marking the 50th anniversary of reunification. He also invited the Chinese defense ministry to send a military unit to participate in the parade and ceremonial march.
The invitation was extended during the Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange held on April 17 in Lang Son City, where General Giang held talks with General Dong Jun.
The two ministers observe regional products from Lang Son Province.
Giang expressed gratitude for Dong’s participation in Vietnam’s 80th anniversary of the People’s Army and welcomed 27 Chinese veterans and experts who had once supported the Vietnamese revolution.
The event included activities such as free medical checkups and medicine distribution for border residents, as well as people-to-people and youth officer exchanges between the two sides. These efforts aim to reinforce the “Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Diplomacy” and provide a foundation for maintaining stable borders and fostering cooperative development between the two countries.
For the first time, the event also witnessed a joint maritime patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin between the two countries’ navies.
Defense cooperation between Vietnam and China has seen practical, effective implementation in recent years, forming a key pillar of their bilateral relationship.
Land border collaboration continues to deepen, with border protection and customs forces from both sides actively coordinating on crime prevention and border management.
Maritime cooperation is also expanding, with effective bilateral naval and coast guard engagements. Coordination has also grown in political and party work, inter-force collaboration, and defense industry initiatives.
General Giang affirmed that Vietnam will always remember and appreciate the heartfelt support of the Chinese Communist Party, government, military, and people. Earlier this month, Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense completed restoration and preservation work at Chinese martyrs’ cemeteries in Vietnam.
Minister Phan Van Giang and the Vietnamese delegation during talks.
Minister Dong Jun and the Chinese delegation during the bilateral meeting.The two ministers witness the signing of a twinning agreement between Huu Nghi International Border Gate Border Post (Lang Son Province Border Guard) and Pingxiang Meeting and Discussion Station (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Border Guard).
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and global situations and matters of mutual concern.
Vietnam reiterated its consistent foreign policy of independence, peace, friendship, cooperation, multilateralism, and diversification of external relations. It aspires to be a friend to all countries and particularly values ties with neighboring nations. Vietnam remains committed to its “four no's” defense policy.
On the East Sea issue, Vietnam maintains a peaceful, consistent approach based on international law. It adheres to high-level consensus between leaders of both countries, follows the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and upholds the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam also expressed hopes for China and ASEAN to soon finalize an effective, substantive Code of Conduct (COC) for the East Sea.
The national-level ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification will be held on April 30 in Ho Chi Minh City. Minister Giang’s invitation to China aims to show Vietnam’s appreciation for the invaluable support of China and other peace-loving nations during the struggle for national unity.
General Dong Jun thanked Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense for its thoughtful organization of the event and praised the success of the friendship exchange.
He noted that the program, held soon after the state visit to Vietnam by Chinese President and General Secretary Xi Jinping, reflects the strong will of both nations’ leaders and people to nurture the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China.
Vietnamnet.vn
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