(VOVworld)- The third Vietnam-China strategic defense dialogue has opened in Hanoi. In an address, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defense, General Nguyen Chi Vinh said the East sea issue is of major concern for the Vietnam-China relationship and the common destiny of both countries and peoples.

With a frank and constructive spirit, General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Chinese Senior Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian discussed East Sea related issues stressing the importance of solving the problems. General Vinh said solving this issue will be very difficult, very sensitive and time-consuming requiring good will and strong efforts by both sides. Vinh expressed his hope that with goodwill, and the spirit of traditional friendship, mutual respect, publicity and transparency, the two sides will find measures that both comply with international law and meet the legitimate interests of the two countries. He said for the sake of the Vietnam-China ties, it is urgent for both sides to continue cooperation and dialogue to boost political trust between the two Parties, States and armies. General Vinh proposed  greater sharing of bilateral interests and cooperation in multilateral forums along with greater cooperation in all fields. "I hope and believe that our meeting will contribute to defense cooperation between the two armies and to the Vietnam-China relationship. The dialogue is significant for the sake of peace and stability in both countries and the region as a whole", said Mr. Vinh.

Chinese General Ma Xiaotian stated that China wants all disputes to be solved peacefully, without the use of force or threat to use force and with the observance of international law. The Chinese side expressed hopes to see the sea dispute addressed satisfactorily, leaving no effects on the two countries’ ties and individual development. He said: "China respects the strategic defense dialogue with Vietnam and we know that Vietnam respects this dialogue too. In the context of the international and regional situation, the dialogue is an important opportunity. China consistently pursues dialogues between the two armies".

At this dialogue, both sides discussed bilateral and multi-lateral issues. They agreed to step up exchanges, cooperation and coordination between their navies, border guards and marine police. General Nguyen Chi Vinh proposed that the border guard forces of border provinces of Vietnam and China increase cooperation to jointly maintain security and friendship in border areas and fight trans-national crime. The Vietnamese side also expressed hopes for the organisation of exchanges between strategic research institutes and an increase in linkages between military communication agencies. Deputy Minister Vinh reiterated the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation and not taking sides to build and defend the fatherland and at the same time contribute positively to peace and stability in the region and the world. At the end of the talks, the two officers witnessed the signing of an agreement on the expansion of training cooperation between the two armies.