(VOVworld) – Vietnam’s Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh has said that building strategic trust in defense ties between Vietnam and China will help nurture strategic trust between their parties, states, and people. Lieutenant General Vinh made the statement at the fourth Vietnam-China strategic dialogue on defense in Beijing on Wednesday. Qi Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army led the Chinese delegation at the event.

The two sides discussed the common concern of regional security, as well as bilateral military ties and the East Sea situation. Deputy Minister Vinh proposed directions for the two armies’ future cooperation. He said the two armies should consult their parties and states and consistently settle disputes appropriately by peaceful talks and friendly consultation. He said the two armies need to work together to create a peaceful environment in the East Sea, maintain the status quo, decrease their presence in sensitive areas and avoid actions that can cause misunderstanding. He proposed the armies not use force and threaten to use force and instead work towards the signing of a peace keeping agreement. Vinh suggested the two armies expand cooperative fields, especially naval cooperation, and grasp thoroughly humane treatment of fishermen working peacefully at sea. Following the dialogue, the two sides signed an agreement on setting up a direct telephone line between the two Defense Ministries.