Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam on Thursday afternoon in Hanoi, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced.

Dong attended a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army on Friday morning, according to the news release published by the ministry on Friday.

Dong said the two countries have entered a new era of building the community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, adding that China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two parties, states, and militaries.

He noted that guided by the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Vietnam in many areas, including maritime security, increase strategic mutual trust between the two militaries, and promote the continuous development of bilateral relations, jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability.

Lam welcomed Dong and his delegation's attendance at the celebration.

He noted that Vietnam and China are socialist neighbors and that the Vietnamese side values China's longstanding and invaluable support in Vietnam's national liberation, independence, and socialist development.

The Vietnamese leader said Vietnam regards the development of friendly relations with China as a strategic choice and a top foreign policy priority.