(VOVworld) - Chinese Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Chang Wan Quan began his official visit to Vietnam on Sunday. During talks after the welcoming ceremony, Vietnamese Defense Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh and his Chinese counterpart vowed to maintain good control of the situation, not threaten to use force and not give way to conflict to foster peace, stability and cooperation.

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh (L) and his Chinese counterpart Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chang Wanquan (Source: VNA)

They had candid discussion about disputes at sea which may harm bilateral ties and pledged to resolve the conflict through peaceful talks based on international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to develop the East Sea in to an area of peace, friendship and cooperation to serve the bilateral strategic comprehensive partnership. They pledged to seriously comply with agreements and common awareness reached by both countries’ leaders as well as the principles of the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the East Sea towards the building of a Code of Conducts for Parties in the East Sea.  Both sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in UN peace keeping activities. The two Defense Minister will co-chair the third Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange to held from March 28 to 31 between the northern province of Lang Son and the Chinese southern province of Guangxi.