ASEAN defense ministers meet with Chinese, Japanese and US counterparts

At the informal China-ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan applauded ASEAN for sharing experience and joining efforts with China in building a closer regional community. The Chinese minister underlined that the region is facing a number of challenges and opportunities so cooperation within ASEAN and between ASEAN and China is necessary to address these challenges, including terrorism, and he also affirmed China’s willingness to support ASEAN in fighting this threat.

ASEAN defense ministers in a joint photo at the opening ceremony of ADMM-11. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the meeting, Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich highly valued the significance of the meeting, saying that such a meeting is a necessary mechanism for ASEAN and its important strategic partners to exchange views on regional issues of mutual concern especially in the defense sphere, to build up confidence and together seek appropriate approaches to address common security challenges, promote solidarity and consensus within ASEAN and further connect ASEAN and China on the basis of common interests, contributing to maintaining stability and peace in the region and world.

Vietnam highly appreciated China’s support for ASEAN’s central role and the country’s positive contributions to regional defense cooperation mechanisms hosted by the bloc, such as the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting plus (ADMM+) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

However, the Vietnamese defense minister held that there remains much space for both sides to expand the bilateral cooperation.

As ASEAN has applied the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure (ADI) in the ADMM Process and the operationalization of the ASEAN Militaries Ready Group on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (AMRG on HADR), Vietnamese defense minister proposed that the two sides should consider applying ADI in bilateral mechanisms between ASEAN and China so that the two sides could exchange information and consult each other about issues of mutual concern.

The Vietnamese defense minister also highly valued the mutual efforts of ASEAN and China in completing the framework of a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea (East Sea), suggesting that the two side quickly agree on a legally-binding COC of high enforceability. In order to create such a COC soon, the two sides should sincerely promote cooperation in completing the COC and seriously implement their commitments on the issue.

The ADMM-11 Joint Statement underscores the importance of promoting exchange between the defense agencies of China and other ASEAN member countries and also within ASEAN member countries as this fosters confidence and equality-based and mutually beneficial-based cooperation, said the Vietnamese defense minister.

“Vietnam and China co-held the 4^th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange in September 2017. Such a mechanism will bring practical benefits to people of both countries,” Minister Lich stated. He suggested ASEAN countries establish similar mechanisms.     

At the Japan-ASEAN informal meeting, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera reiterated that Japan supports the central role of ASEAN in regional mechanisms. He went on to say that Japan wants to promote cooperation with ASEAN in an effective manner and based on the potentials and needs of each side. Cooperation activities can also serve as opportunities for both sides to learn from each other. “Japan pledges to help ASEAN strengthen capabilities, particularly in technology, and promote cooperation with the bloc within the framework of the “Vientiane Vision” (The “Vientiane Vision” is the guiding principle for Japan’s defense cooperation with ASEAN, announced as Japan’s own initiative by Defense Minister Inada at the second ASEAN-Japan Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting held in Vientiane, Laos, on 16 November 2016), the Japanese defense minister stated.

Meanwhile, defense ministers of ASEAN member countries shared the view that cooperation between the bloc and Japan has been expanded in many areas in recent times, and highly appreciated Japan’s support and assistance for the bloc. They wished that Japan will continue to contribute to regional peace, stability and security via bilateral cooperation between the bloc and Japan. 

Speaking at the meeting, Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich affirmed that ASEAN has highly appreciated Japan’s support for ASEAN’s central role in the region. He considered that ASEAN and Japan should enhance connections via various available channels so as to strengthen defense cooperation in a comprehensive manner between the two sides.

At the US-ASEAN informal meeting, US Defense Secretary James Mattis applauded ASEAN’s central role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The defense secretary also clarified the US’s views on anti-terrorism and maritime security, saying that the US supports the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early completion of a COC.

Defense ministers of ASEAN countries expressed the wish that the US would continue to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea and fighting terrorism in the region.

Delivering a speech at the meeting, the Vietnamese Defense Minister said that the region is facing a number of security challenges, particularly issues relating to maritime and aviation freedom as well as safety and security in the East Sea, that more or less involve and impact on all regional countries. For common interests, regional countries should overcome differences to seek common approaches and solutions based on international law and agreed commitments, he said.

He expressed his wish that the US always supports peaceful solutions to disputes in the East Sea on the basis of international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), and with full respect for legal and diplomatic processes.

He also applauded the US for strengthening its cooperation with ASEAN on anti-terrorism, maritime security, including assisting ASEAN countries in improving their navigation capabilities, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. He considered that these areas of cooperation lie within the framework of ADMM+ so efficient implementation of these areas of cooperation would deepen the ASEAN-US strategic partnership.