Ambassador Xiong made the remarks during a meeting with General Ngo Xuan Lich, Politburo member and Defence Minister, in Hanoi on December 6.

The diplomat said he is glad to take mission in Vietnam and will do his utmost to promote the bilateral relations in a pragmatic manner.

Minister Lich said defence has become a pillar in the cooperation between Vietnam and China.

He added that based on the common perceptions and important agreements reached by the two countries’ Party and State leaders, the ambassador will make remarkable contributions to enhancing the bilateral relations in general and the defence partnership in particular in line with the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.