Shortly following the recent very successful visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Vietnam, China’s Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun met Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Văn Giang in northern Vietnam. The talks, a part of the 9th China-Vietnam Border Defense Friendship Exchange, saw the development of closer military cooperation between the two nations as well as the signing of an agreement to boost border force collaboration.
“The relationship between China and Vietnam is one of comradeship and brotherhood,” Dong said, as he emphasized the strategic value of their military ties. “Our two militaries must further enhance strategic communication, deepen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, improve the effectiveness of border defense friendship activities, and continuously expand practical cooperation.”
Phan invited Admiral Dong to the April 30th celebration of the reunification of Vietnam. In addition, he invited PLA soldiers to also participate in the parade. Their naval forces had just concluded the 38th joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin. Each country contributed two guided-missile frigates to the operation, which covered over 200 nautical miles.
While Vietnam, like many other countries, decided to send representatives to Washington to “make a deal” with Trump on the tariff issue, it is far from abandoning the close relationship it has succeeded in creating with its giant neighbor to the north. And that relationship will not be abandoned whatever subtle threats may be coming from distant Washington.
