Vietnam-China border exchange: A model of bilateral defense cooperation
WVR - Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang emphasized that the Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange is a prime example of defense cooperation and an important annual diplomatic event.
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| General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam's Minister of Defense, and General Dong Quan, China's Minister of Defense, hold talks. (Photo: Tuan Huy) |
On March 18, after participating in exchange activities in Vietnam, General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam's Minister of Defense, and General Dong Quan, China's Minister of Defense, held talks.
During the talks, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the 10th Exchange holds special significance as it is organized immediately after the first Strategic Dialogue at the Ministerial level between the Foreign, Defense, and Public Security Ministries of Vietnam and China. This reflects the proactive role of the two Defense Ministries in implementing the shared understanding of the senior leaders of the two Parties and States regarding defense cooperation and the agreed-upon areas of collaboration.
The Vietnamese Defense Minister expressed confidence that with practical and meaningful exchange activities, the 10th Exchange will be a resounding success, marking an important highlight in the diplomatic activities between the two countries in early Spring 2026. It will contribute to fostering a friendly and cooperative atmosphere between the two Parties, States, and Armies.
Summarizing the 10 exchanges, Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed that the Vietnam-China, China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange has become a highlight in the defense relations between the two countries.
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| Vietnam's Defense Ministry leaders emphasized that the exchange has become an important channel for contact and dialogue between the two Defense Ministries' leaders on shared concerns, agreeing on cooperation directions to make defense cooperation a true pillar in bilateral relations. (Photo: Tuan Huy) |
Since its inception in 2014, the exchange has evolved over 12 years with 10 editions. Each event has expanded in both scope and depth. Initially, the exchange focused on activities within the military units of the two countries. Over time, the scale and format have grown, involving local governments and organizations. Meaningful activities such as free medical check-ups, treatments, and cultural exchanges between students and residents on both sides of the border have become annual events. Many activities have become more substantive, notably this year, with the first joint training exercise between the two Navies.
Additionally, the exchange concretizes the foreign policy guidelines of Vietnam and China, showcasing the pioneering role of the Central Military Commission and the Defense Ministries in actively implementing the shared understanding of the senior leaders of the two countries to promote increasingly substantive defense cooperation, leveraging commonalities to build a strong bilateral relationship.
Vietnam's Defense Ministry leaders emphasized that the exchange has become an important channel for contact and dialogue between the two Defense Ministries' leaders on shared concerns, agreeing on cooperation directions to make defense cooperation a true pillar in bilateral relations.
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| The Vietnamese Defense Minister is confident that with practical and meaningful exchange activities, the 10th Exchange will be a resounding success, marking an important highlight in the diplomatic activities between the two countries in early Spring 2026. (Photo: Tuan Huy) |
Promoting people-to-people diplomacy, the exchange provides opportunities for cultural interaction, contact, and cooperation in sharing economic development experiences, building a prosperous and happy life for the people of both countries.
Strengthening ties between the border protection forces of the two countries, the exchange attracts participation from ministries, sectors, local governments, and residents in border areas, enhancing the ability to coordinate and promptly resolve complex arising issues.
Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang affirmed that the exchange has truly become one of the exemplary models of border defense cooperation, an annual diplomatic event of significant political importance, supported by leaders at all levels, embraced by the people of both countries, and garnering international attention. It serves as a bridge connecting the friendship of officers, soldiers, and residents on both borders.
Regarding future exchange directions, General Phan Van Giang proposed that both sides continue to maintain, strengthen, and further enhance the effectiveness of this mechanism, making it increasingly substantive. It should continue to affirm its status as an annual diplomatic event of significant political importance, a crucial channel for contact and dialogue between the Defense Ministries' leaders, and one of the exemplary models of border defense cooperation.
Further strengthen communication efforts to enhance the reach of the Exchange, highlighting the message of political trust and solidarity between the two Parties, States, and Armies of Vietnam and China.
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| General Dong Quan, China's Minister of Defense, proposed that both sides actualize and enhance exchange activities between the two militaries, contributing significantly to regional security, especially at the border. (Photo: Tuan Huy) |
For his part, General Dong Quan expressed his pleasure in co-chairing the exchange with Minister Phan Van Giang and thanked Vietnam for its thorough and thoughtful preparation for this event.
The Chinese Defense Minister shared that he and the Vietnamese Defense Minister participated in the 3 3 Conference and discussed Vietnam-China defense cooperation. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry leaders, at the 3 3 Conference, General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh evaluated that the Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange not only strengthens the relationship between the two militaries but also further promotes Vietnam-China cooperation.
The Chinese Defense Minister noted that in recent years, the relationship between the two countries and their militaries has continuously strengthened, with defense cooperation activities deepening bilateral relations. He emphasized that both sides should enhance exchanges to contribute to regional and global stability.
According to General Dong Quan, since 2014, the Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange has spread the spirit of friendship, with bilateral relations developing remarkably. Such achievements are due to the leadership of the senior leaders of both countries who persistently expand cooperative relations. Currently, exchanges between the two countries have expanded into various fields, becoming more substantive and in-depth, thereby enhancing the friendly atmosphere between Vietnam and China.
Building on this tradition, the Chinese Defense Minister proposed that both sides actualize and enhance exchange activities between the two militaries, contributing significantly to regional security, especially at the border.
General Dong Quan hopes that exchange activities between the people of the two countries in border areas will continue to develop, not only promoting bilateral relations but also enhancing the relationship between the border populations of Vietnam and China, as well as promoting exchanges among Vietnam, Laos, and China.
In recent years, the exchange mechanism has developed more substantively, General Dong Quan emphasized, noting that he and General Phan Van Giang, along with every soldier, are both comrades and brothers, symbolizing the cooperation between the two Parties and States.
On this occasion, General Dong Quan, China's Minister of Defense, extended a formal invitation to General Phan Van Giang, Vietnam's Minister of Defense, to attend the Xiangshan Forum in 2026.
On the same day, a farewell ceremony for the high-level delegation of the Chinese Defense Ministry concluded the exchange activities in Vietnam at the Mong Cai International Border Gate. Tomorrow, March 19, the high-level delegation of the Vietnamese Defense Ministry, led by General Phan Van Giang, will travel to China to participate in border exchange activities in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
The 10th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange takes place from March 18-19, in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The main activities on March 18 include: Welcoming Minister Dong Quan at the Mong Cai International Border Gate (demarcation line on Bac Luan 1 Bridge); the two Ministers planting friendship trees at the Mong Cai International Border Gate, attending the groundbreaking ceremony of Hai Son Commune Health Station, visiting Tran Phu High School, visiting Tra Co Border Guard Station, and holding important talks; Farewell ceremony for the Chinese delegation at the Mong Cai International Border Gate (Bac Luan 2 Bridge). In China, the main activities on March 19 include: Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation at the Dongxing International Border Gate; the two Ministers visiting the Border Guard Company and planting friendship trees at the Border Guard Company; Joint patrol and training departure ceremony in the Gulf of Tonkin; visiting the Memorial Stele and the wall displaying contents related to the starting point of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at sea; visiting local enterprises; laying wreaths to commemorate the Vietnamese-Chinese People's Revolutionary Martyrs; Farewell ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation at the Dongxing International Border Gate. |
