China wants better Vietnam military ties
BEIJING - Analysts see both political and strategic explanations motivating China's efforts this week to improve military relations with Vietnam. Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan was quoted in Xinhua Thursday as saying China will join hands with Vietnam to promote comprehensive development of the relations between the two nations and the two military forces.
Cao said that as good neighbors, China and Vietnam have increased mutual political trust and enhanced military exchanges in recent years. The minister made the comment Wednesday during meetings with his visiting Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Van Tra.
The two sides exchanged views on the regional and international situation as well as the current relationship between the two countries and militaries. Cao expressed the hope for closer Sino-Vietnamese military ties and more trust-building activities.
State-run media noted an agreement on joint naval patrols in the Beibu Gulf was signed during Tra's stay. Western maps refer to the area as the Gulf of Tonkin.
China and Vietnam have long standing boundary disputes in the South China Sea, especially over the Paracel (Xisha) Islands. The Chinese have several other strategic potential flashpoints involving its limited naval capabilities: Taiwan and especially problems with the Japanese in the East China Sea chief among them.
Zhang Dingfa, commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy, and Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of the PLA's General Staff, participated in the discussions with the Vietnamese defense leader. Cao, Zhang and Xiong are all members of China's powerful Central Military Commission led by Hu Jintao.
Hu, China's president and Communist Party General Secretary will be paying a visit to Vietnam Oct. 31-Nov. 2. This year the two countries are commemorating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
United Press International - October 27, 2005.
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