China’s defence minister in Vietnam on first overseas trip since shaking off corruption claims

Dong Jun meets the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hanoi on visit to mark military anniversary

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun visited Vietnam this week to attend a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:33pm, 20 Dec 2024Updated: 6:18pm, 20 Dec 2024

On his first official overseas trip in four weeks and his first since Beijing publicly denied he was under investigation for corruption, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun met the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hanoi.

China’s defence ministry said on Friday that Dong was in the Vietnamese capital to attend celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. It is not known how long he will be in the country.

In his meeting with Dong on Thursday, party general secretary To Lam called for expanded cooperation in training, ideology and border defence with China’s military.

To Lam praised defence cooperation between China and Vietnam as “increasingly practical and effective”, according to a Vietnam News Agency report.

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The two countries’ militaries should step up exchanges at all levels and explore new areas for potential cooperation, he reportedly told Dong.

To Lam emphasised “the need for expanding cooperation in political and ideological education, personnel training and border defence” while calling for more defence cooperation and better ways to control and settle disputes over contested waters, according to the report.