Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang and Adm. Harry Harris Jr., commander of U.S. Pacific Command, during an honor ceremony at Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense. (Photo : Vietnamnet)
Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA) and Deputy Defense Minister, held talks with visiting Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., Commander, United States Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM) on Oct. 26 in Hanoi.
Gen. Giang spoke highly of the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the U.S. during his talks with the tough talking Adm. Harris, who has consistently urged China to stop its militarization of the South China Sea and abide by international rulings and norms.
Gen. Giang noted that defense collaboration has thrived between Vietnam and the U.S. under the memorandum of understanding on national defense cooperation signed by the two countries in 2011, and the joint vision statement on bilateral defense relations inked in 2015.
He also called on both countries to enhance their friendship and mutual understanding, and build trust for the sake of their people, as well as for peace and stability in the region.
Adm. Harris hoped his Vietnam visit will contribute to boosting bilateral defense ties. He's been a strong supporter of boosting the U.S.' defense relationship with Vietnam.
Last February, Adm. Harris supported lifting a four decades-old United States ban on weapons sales to Vietnam and for getting more U.S. Navy ships for port visits. The weapons ban was rescinded by President Barack Obama last May during his official visit to Vietnam.
"We do port visits in Vietnam and I advocate for more. I believe that we will be able to do more this year," said Adm. in a March hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Adm. Harris said he saw an opportunity to grow the relationship with Vietnam and thinks the Vietnamese people would be receptive.
"I believe that we should improve our relationship with Vietnam," he said. "I think it's a great strategic opportunity for us and I think the Vietnamese people would welcome the opportunity to work closer with us as their security partner of choice."
The Navy conducted four port visits in Vietnam in 2015. The destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS-3), along with the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3) and the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), all made visits to Da Nang.
These deepening ties will lead to more port visits in the future, said Adm. Harris.
