General Thanh said that there are still lingering disagreements which survive from the history of the Vietnamese-Chinese relationship which should not be evaded. However, the two countries’ armed forces need to refrain from allowing any maritime conflicts, he affirmed.

The Vietnamese defence minister spoke about the fact that both countries signed an agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues.

He also mentioned many measures to maintain peace, such as the two militaries educating their servicemen about the signed agreements, and adhering to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

In addition, General Thanh proposed the two sides be vigilant to malicious information aimed at dividing the two Parties, States and armies.

He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence and affirmed that Vietnam does not intend to ally itself with any other country as a counterbalance against China.

Meanwhile, Chinese defence minister Liang Guanglie said he agreed with Mr Thanh’s ideas and proposals.

Mr Guanglie said cooperation and friendship have always been the mainstream of the Sino-Vietnam relations over the past 60 years, and expressed his wish that the two armies will uphold their roles in maintaining friendship between the two countries.