General Phan Van Giang attended the 10th Vietnam-China border defence friendship exchange in Guangxi on March 19.
Under the programme, Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang and Chinese Minister of National Defence Dong Jun took part in a ceremony at Dongxing International Border Gate, visited a local border guard unit and planted friendship trees.
The two ministers also visited a memorial marking the Ho Chi Minh sea trail, toured an international medical pilot zone in Fangchenggang and laid wreaths in tribute to fallen Vietnamese and Chinese revolutionary soldiers.
Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang welcomes Chinese Minister of National Defence Dong Jun at Mong Cai International Border Gate, Quang Ninh Province on March 18 (Photo: Nguyen Duong).
As part of the exchange, both sides launched a joint naval patrol and training exercise in the Gulf of Tonkin.
The Vietnam People’s Navy deployed a flotilla including the vessels Tran Hung Dao 015 and Ly Thai To 012 from Brigade 162 to take part in the activities.
On March 18, naval forces from both countries conducted rehearsals to prepare for the ministers’ reception and finalised plans for the joint mission.
According to the schedule, both ministers were to be present at Fangchenggang port on the morning of March 19 to inspect naval vessels, review preparations and give the order to depart.
A day earlier, Dong Jun had visited Vietnam to attend exchange activities in Quang Ninh Province.
