China stands ready to deepens practical cooperation with Vietnam in maritime security, safeguard regional peace, Chinese defense minister says in meeting with Vietnam's party general secretary

The Chinese side stands ready to follow the guidance of the consensus reached by top leaders of both parties and countries, deepen practical cooperation with the Vietnamese side in various areas including maritime security, enhance strategic mutual trust between both militaries, promote constant development of bilateral relations and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said when meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam in Hanoi on Thursday.

China also cherishes the traditional friendship between the two parties, the two countries and the two militaries, according to China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday.

Lam welcomed Dong's participation in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, saying that Vietnam and China are socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Lam said Vietnam cherishes China's valuable support in the cause of national liberation, national independence and socialist construction in Vietnam, and takes developing friendly relations with China as a strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy.

Lam expressed the hope that the two militaries will strengthen practical cooperation and inject new vitality to the development of bilateral relations, as reported by Xinhua.

Dong noted that China and Vietnam have entered a new era of building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

On Friday, Dong and his delegation attended a grand gathering marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army, according to the report.