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Alyssa Chen

China’s most senior general Zhang Youxia met Vietnamese leader To Lam and other senior figures during a two-day visit to the country as part of an effort to foster closer defence ties between the two countries.
The visit by Zhang, the vice-chairman of China’s top command body the Central Military Commission, follows a series of changes in Vietnam’s leadership and a recent flare-up of tensions in the two countries’ ongoing South China Sea dispute.
In recent years the two countries have taken a series of measures to build trust and prevent the dispute over the resource-rich waterway from overshadowing their entire relationship.
In a series of meetings since Lam became leader of the Communist Party in August, both sides have highlighted the importance of settling their dispute peacefully.
However, earlier this month, Vietnam lodged a formal protest against China, claiming that Chinese personnel had attacked 10 Vietnamese fishermen in the disputed Paracel Islands.
Beijing rejected the allegations, saying the Vietnamese boats were fishing illegally in the area.
During his visit, which ended on Saturday, Zhang, met Lam, the new president, Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Defence Minister Phan Van Giang.
According to China’s defence ministry, Lam told Zhang that the two countries were “making new progress” in defence relations and Vietnam hoped to “deepen practical cooperation, enhance strategic mutual trust, and work together to cope with threats and challenges”.
Meanwhile, Zhang said: “Beijing stands ready to work with Hanoi to continuously strengthen exchanges and cooperation in political, economic, security, and cultural fields, and to promote the healthy and stable development of military relations.”


Lam also said their armed forces should “further coordinate in better managing and resolving differences and maintaining peace and stability at sea”, according to the Communist Party of Vietnam.
He added that their differences should be settled peacefully and in accordance with international law.
In a separate meeting, the new president Cuong hailed the progress in defence ties, saying that the two countries’ militaries and defence ministries should “organise mutual visits at various levels, particularly at high levels” and “uphold existing cooperation mechanisms”, according to the Vietnamese government.
Zhang and defence minister Giang, also signed a number of agreements on strengthening defence cooperation, according to Beijing.
Despite their long-standing maritime disputes, Beijing and Hanoi have made efforts in recent years to improve cooperation between their respective navies and coastguards.
Vietnamese naval vessels regularly make port calls in China as part of this process, most recently with the visit of the guided-missile frigate Tran Hung Dao to a port in Zhanjiang in eastern China.
In late June, the two navies took part in a two-day joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin.
However, Vietnam has tried to maintain a flexible approach to foreign relations – a strategy known as “bamboo diplomacy” – and has sought to build close ties with the United States and its Southeast Asian neighbours in tandem with its efforts to improve relations with China.
In early August, Vietnam held its first-ever joint coastguard exercise with the Philippines, a rival claimant in the South China Sea.




In contrast to Vietnam’s low-key approach, the Philippines has adopted a more assertive approach towards China, resulting in a series of confrontations in the disputed waters.
Meanwhile, China is working to build closer military ties with other countries in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
On Friday, China and Thailand concluded their latest series of military exercises, which the People’s Liberation Army Daily said were designed “to enhance the joint operational capabilities of both sides and contribute positively to the stability of the region”.


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South China Sea

Top Chinese military commander visits Vietnam for talks on closer cooperation

Chinese general Zhang Youxia and Vietnamese leader To Lam. Photo: Vietnam Government News

South China Sea: Vietnam’s growing Spratly outposts spark flashpoint concern in China

A Chinese think tank says Vietnam is rapidly building an airstrip on Barque Canada Reef, with more than 410 metres of runway already built. Photo: X/SCS_PI

The the South China Sea Probing Initiative says in the past five months, nearly 2.23 sq km have been reclaimed on seven of Vietnam’s features in the Spratlys. Photo: X/SCS_PI

Vietnam trip offers Chinese Premier Li Qiang a chance to ease tensions after ‘attack’ on fishermen

China’s Premier Li Qiang (left)  and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh at this week’s forum in Laos. The pair will meet again when Li visits Vietnam. Photo: EPA-EFE

News

China

Military

Diplomacy

Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met Hanoi’s top leader and other senior figures during his visit


Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met Hanoi’s top leader and other senior figures during his visit.


Vietnam

Thailand

China’s military drills

China-Asean relations