The Vietnamese delegation was co-led by Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. The Japanese delegation was jointly headed by Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki and Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs Kano Koji.
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The Vietnamese delegation at the dialogue |
During the dialogue, both sides highly valued the robust development of Vietnam - Japan relations, emphasizing that the two countries enjoy a high level of strategic trust and share common views and visions on many regional and international issues. They attached great importance to the bilateral relationship and affirmed their commitment to further advancing cooperation in all areas in an intensive manner to serve the shared interests of both nations. They underscored the central role of ASEAN and the promotion of that centrality as well as agreed to enhance coordination at ASEAN-led forums.
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Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu and Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (left, front) |
The two sides agreed that defense cooperation continues to be an important pillar of the Vietnam - Japan comprehensive strategic partnership and has been expanded, particularly in regular dialogues and consultations at all levels, information sharing, training, capacity building.
In his speech, Gen. Chien reaffirmed Vietnam’s “Four no's” defense policy, stressing that Vietnam upholds the whole people’s defense posture with peaceful and self-defensive nature; pro-actively and resolutely prevents and repels the risk of war.
The Vietnamese defense leader also emphasized the country’s consistent defense objective of firmly safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; protecting national interests; maintaining political stability and a peaceful environment for national development; and fulfilling its international responsibilities, contributing to peace, prosperity, and common development in the region and the world.
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Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Namazu Hiroyuki and Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs Kano Koji at the event |
According to Gen. Chien, Vietnam has promoted defense cooperation with other countries to strengthen friendship, cooperation, and development for peace and stability regionally and globally. Vietnam concentrates on developing human resources and modernizing weapons and military equipment for national defense and peace safeguarding. Vietnam is willing to expand cooperation with all countries, including Japan which has advanced science, technology, and techniques, to enhance its defense industry capacity towards self-reliance, dual-use, and modernization, he said.
Regarding the East Sea (aka South China Sea) issue, Gen. Chien expressed deep concern over recent complicated developments. He underlined that Vietnam’s consistent position is to settle all disputes and differences in the East Sea by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS 1982. To maintain the East Sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, maritime forces must exercise restraint, avoid actions that escalate tensions or complicate the situation, ensure humane treatment of fishermen, build trust, and strengthen practical cooperation based on international law.
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Gen. Chien reaffirms Vietnam’s “Four no's” defense policy at the event. |
Regarding bilateral defense ties, the Vietnamese general expressed satisfaction with many substantive outcomes, highlighting three key areas.
First, the two sides have established and regularly maintained mechanisms for delegation exchanges, dialogues, and consultations. Notably, the deputy-ministerial defense policy dialogue has convened 11 sessions, serving as a vital mechanism to review, assess, and set directions for Vietnam - Japan defense cooperation. Additionally, the two sides have held staff officer consultations between the navies, armies, and air forces. These mechanisms have helped enhance mutual understanding and facilitate timely exchanges between the defense leaderships and working-level units of both sides, promoting deeper and more practical cooperation in line with each side’s needs and strengths. He suggested both sides continue maintaining these mechanisms effectively.
Second, Vietnam highly appreciates Japanese Government and Ministry of Defense’s cooperation and support in capacity building for the Vietnam People’s Army, particularly in education and training which is regarded as a highlight. He expressed hope that following the dialogue, the two defense ministries would sign a letter of intent on training cooperation to further promote this field, and that Japan would offer training in hi-tech technologies, precision engineering, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and AI. Other areas of capacity-building cooperation, including underwater mine clearance, air rescue, underwater medicine, and aviation meteorology, have also been regularly implemented.
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Head delegates of the two delegations in a group photo |
Third, in war legacy settlement, Gen. Chien hoped for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s continued support for Vietnam’s efforts through non-refundable aid and concessional loans from the Government of Japan.
In terms of defense industry, he suggested both sides continue promoting specific, practical, and effective projects. He emphasized that, after the dialogue, the two defense ministries would sign a memorandum of understanding on search and rescue cooperation, creating an important basis for future collaboration.
By Kieu Trinh from Tokyo, Japan
Translated by Mai Huong