Vietnamese defense minister meets Chinese general

Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh met here on Monday with the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ma Xiaotian.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on relations between the two countries and armies, as well as other issues of common concern.

Phung Quang Thanh spoke highly of the achievements of the sixth defense and security consultation between China's and Vietnam's defense ministries. He said Vietnamese party, government and army have always cherished friendship with Chinese party, government and army. He thanked China for its valuable long-term support, adding that Vietnam will continue to develop solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperative relations with the Chinese party, government and army.

Thanh said both sides should continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as personnel training, border exchanges, navy, party affairs and publicity.

Ma Xiaotian, for his part, said China and Vietnam are connected by mountains and rivers and enjoy a traditional friendship between two peoples. The two countries should maintain good-neighborly ties under the principles of 16-word motto and the four-good spirit.

Ma said the China-Vietnam military relationship is an important part of the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Both sides should work together to promote the development of bilateral relations, and further enhance mutual trust, in order to safeguard and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

Ma Xiaotian left Beijing on Sunday for visits to Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore. Vietnam is the first leg of Ma's ongoing four-nation Asia tour.