Chinese Defense Minister Meets Vietnamese Counterpart

Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met in Beijing Friday with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Van Tra and his party.

Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor, said that Sino-Vietnamese relations have developed smoothly in recent years. China and Vietnam are both developing socialist countries, and they are both committed to reform, opening and development of their economies, he added.

China and Vietnam have interests in common, and the development of Sino-Vietnamese relations is the common aspiration of the people of two countries, Chi said, adding that both China and Vietnam should follow the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and bring peace and prosperity to the border between the two countries.

Chi briefed the guests on China's domestic situation and army building.

Pham Van Tra said that Vietnamese-Chinese friendship is rooted in the process of jointly opposing imperialism and colonialism, and the traditional friendship has developed continuously with the joint effort of the two sides.

He said that Vietnam is ready to work with China to promote the friendship between the two countries.





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