Sino-Vietnamese military border discussions begin

China and Vietnam vowed to boost exchanges along their border to better safeguard regional stability as the two nations' militaries launched their first high-level border talks on Monday.

Describing the meeting as "iconic", Qi Jianguo, deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, said it was not only an important implementation of the achieved consensus between the two sides, but also a sign of two friends keeping their promises.

"Along the Sino-Vietnamese border, it is easy to find many places that witnessed the two countries' hard efforts to fight side by side for national liberation in history," Qi said.

"In that spirit, we call for joint efforts with the Vietnamese to innovate new cooperative measures to advance bilateral defense ties, turning the Sino-Vietnamese border into a link toward peace, friendship and prosperity " he added.

Nguyen Chi Vinh, Vietnam's deputy defense minister, led a 20-member delegation across the China-Vietnam Friendship Bridge at about 9 am. The delegation was warmly received by Qi at the border, which separates Dongxing, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and Mong Cai, Quang Ninh province.

The first half of the three-day meeting is in Dongxing, and the second half will begin in Mong Cai on Tuesday.

Besides discussion on common concerns such as regional security situations, the two generals will also visit local barracks and inspect joint border patrols.

Vinh said the two sides should work more closely to contribute to the cooperative relationship between China and Vietnam.

"I have witnessed many times the rapid developments of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation," Vinh said. "But against the backdrop of the complicated international situation, we need to discuss and adopt new measures to carry out what we have agreed on."

During the discussion, the two sides agreed to maintain high-level border talks and set the second meeting in China's Yunnan province and Vietnam's Lao Cai province in 2015, a Vietnamese delegate said.

Vu Chien Thang, head of the Foreign Affairs Bureau with Vietnam's Defense Ministry, said the two militaries have maintained excellent communication in recent years, not only between border posts but also between military commands.

"The two militaries can organize various forms of activities to boost understanding, such as expanding the range of joint patrols and establishing border liaison offices," Thang said.

"Through discussion, we can build trust to joint tackle nontraditional security issues. Besides, it helps clarify and disapprove false media reports hyping soured bilateral ties," he added.

In January, China and Vietnam also launched their first round of consultations on joint development of maritime resources.

Experts said the meeting provides new platforms for the two sides to further consult each other on border issues and guides the management of maritime divergences.

"Frequent high-level exchanges and dialogue are essential to Sino-Vietnamese relations because they help dispel suspicion and enhance trust," said Ren Yuanzhe, a researcher of Asia-Pacific studies at China Foreign Affairs University.

puzhendong@chinadaily.com.cn