Vietnam, China to hold 9th border defence friendship exchange
The ninth border defence friendship exchange between Vietnam and China is scheduled to take place in Vietnam’s northern province of Lang Son and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on April 16-17.
At the press conference in Hanoi on April 9 to introduce the ninth border defence friendship exchange between Vietnam and China. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The ninth border defence friendship exchange between Vietnam and China is scheduled to take place in Vietnam’s northern province of Lang Son and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on April 16-17.
At the press conference in Hanoi on April 9, the Ministry of National Defence said that the Vietnamese delegation will be led by Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang while the Chinese side by Minister of National Defence Dong Jun.
The main activities scheduled for April 16 in China include a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation, a visit to the Youyi Guan tourism area, and visits to the smart border gate at the Youyi Guan International Border Gate, elementary school No.4 in Pingxiang city (China), and a border cultural village.
Activities planned for April 17 in Vietnam comprise a welcome ceremony for the Chinese delegation, planting friendship trees, a visit to Dong Dang elementary school, a tour to the border guard station at the Huu Nghi (Friendship) International Border Gate, a visit to the logistic park of the Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel), and the signing of several cooperation agreements.
Several side events will take place before the main exchange, including General Phan Van Giang’s meeting with the Standing Board of the Lang Son provincial Party Committee, a review of twinning activities between Dong Dang town (Vietnam) and Pingxiang county (China), and cultural and sport exchanges between authorities and people from both sides.
Additionally, the two sides will organise joint medical examinations and provide free medicine to border residents as well as present scholarships to students and breeding cattle to disadvantaged households in border areas.
Notably, the missile frigates 015 and 016 of the Vietnam People’s Navy will participate in exchange activities and conduct joint patrols with the Chinese side in the Gulf of Tonkin from April 10-19.
This will mark the first time these two ships, currently the most modern surface combat vessels of the Vietnamese Navy, engage in joint patrols in the waters.
The first border defence friendship exchange was held♈ in Quang Ninh province of Vietnam and Guangxi province of China in 2014./.
Located at Border Marker 456 in Ha Giang’s Meo Vac district, the Sam Pun border gate has long served as a vital trade gateway between Vietnam and China.
The project has a total investment capital of 1.5 trillion VND (58.6 million USD). The main bridge spanning the Red River is a low-tower cable-stayed design consisting of three spans, with a total length of 230 metres and a width of 35 metres.
During the operation, the two sides met to discuss border security and other related issues. The patrol covered the section of the shared border between Marker No. 424 and Marker No. 426, ensuring the protection and integrity of the boundary markers.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
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Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.