Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shakes hands with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang Youxia. (Photo: VNA)

At a meeting with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang Youxia in Hanoi, PM said relations with China are an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority for Vietnam.

He suggested the two armies continue promoting "more practical defense and security cooperation" in line with the "six major goals" direction in the framework of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

PM Chinh urged the two sides to effectively implement a "3+3 dialogue mechanism" (foreign affairs, defense, and public security) to enhance trust and cohesion between the two countries, contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of politics, diplomacy, defense, and security.

The PM urged the two sides to strictly implement the high-level common perceptions, properly address issues, well manage the situation at sea, fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China Sen. Lt. Gen. Zhang Youxia together with delegates of both countries. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

For his part, Zhang said there remains ample room for the two sides to further step up defense cooperation, noting that the Chinese army stands ready to cooperate with its Vietnamese counterpart to contribute to building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

For maritime issues, Zhang emphasized that the two sides need to adhere to the guidance agreed upon by senior leaders of the two Parties, manage differences, and satisfactorily resolve issues.