HANOI, Oct. 16 -- A high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation led by Minister of Defense Phung Quang Thanh is going to pay a visit to China to boost ties.

The visit, scheduled for Oct. 16-18, aims at strengthening the comprehensive and friendship cooperation between the two countries ' armies, according to an online newspaper of the Vietnamese people's army on Thursday.

During the visit, the two sides will discuss measures to promote bilateral defense ties for the maintenance of peace and stability between the two armies and peoples.

The visit is expected to create common awareness of regional and international security issues, contributing to healthy and sustainable development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as well as to reaffirm that defense cooperation is among the key pillars in the relations between the two parties and states.

During the visit made at the invitation of Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, the two sides are set to sign a technical memorandum on the establishment of a direct contact line between the two defense ministries, according to the Vietnamese army's online newspaper.