Chinese Defence Minister visits Vietnam



Ha Noi, Feb. 8 (VNA) -- Chinese Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chi Haotian, his wife and several officers of the Chinese army arrived in Ha Noi on Feb. 8 morning, beginning an official visit to Viet Nam.

The visit is being made at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra.

A welcoming ceremony for Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chi Haotian was held the same day at the Defence Ministry's Guest House attended by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra, who is also member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV)'s Political Bureau and Deputy Secretary of the CPV Central Military Commission, several senior officers of the Viet Nam People's Army, and Chinese Ambassador Qi Jianguo.

After the ceremony, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chi Haotian, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Communist Party of China's Central Military Commission and State Councillor, was received by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra.

The Chinese army delegation led by Minister Chi Haotian held talks with a delegation of the Vietnamese army delegation led by Minister Pham Van Tra. The delegations briefed each other about situations in their countries and exchanged views about issues of mutual concern in order to strengthen friendship between the two armies and peoples.

In the evening, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra hosted a party in honour of Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chi Haotian and his entourage.--VNA