Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Undersecretary of National Defense of the Philippines Irineo C. Espino co-chaired the meeting.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien welcomes Mr. Irineo C. Espino. |
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The two leaders tour the photo exhibition on Vietnam - Philippines defense cooperation. |
Reviewing cooperation since the 6th dialogue in July 2024, General Chien highlighted substantive progress across multiple areas. These included strengthened delegation exchanges, effective maintenance of dialogue and consultation mechanisms, expanded cooperation in training, expertise sharing, defense industry, and military medicine, as well as mutual support at international forums. He noted mutual naval and coast guard vessel visits marking the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership and close coordination in humanitarian assistance following the October 2025 earthquakes in the Philippines.
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien speaks at the dialogue. |
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The Vietnamese delegation at the dialogue |
He also commended the Philippines for its contribution to the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM-Plus, emphasizing Vietnam’s commitment to active and responsible participation in joint efforts for regional peace and stability. Vietnam, he said, is ready to work with the Philippines and other ASEAN members to address regional differences based on international law, ASEAN principles, and the legitimate interests of all parties.
For his part, Undersecretary Irineo C. Espino expressed condolences over recent storm-related losses in Vietnam. He noted that 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership and that bilateral cooperation, including in defense, has grown stronger in recent years. Looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, he reaffirmed the Philippines’ desire to further advance cooperation. He also highlighted the significance of the dialogue and Vietnam’s contributions to ADMM and ADMM-Plus.
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An overview of the dialogue |
During the meeting, General Chien proposed that both sides continue to strengthen trustworthy, comprehensive, and results-oriented cooperation. Priority areas include increasing delegation exchanges, maximizing existing cooperation mechanisms, and boosting interactions among the navies, air forces, and coast guard forces, particularly in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. He called for maintaining regular communication channels to update developments at sea and coordinate prompt handling of emerging incidents, including humanitarian treatment of fishermen violating each other’s waters.
Other areas of focus include human resource training, exploring expanded cooperation in defense industry, logistics, military medicine, maritime security, search and rescue, and cybersecurity, as well as continued consultation and mutual support within ASEAN defense cooperation frameworks.
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Mr. Irineo C. Espino speaks at the event. |
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The Philippine delegation at the event |
Both sides also exchanged views on global and regional developments and reaffirmed ASEAN’s central role in shaping the regional security architecture. They underscored their shared strategic interest in maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (or South China Sea). The two sides reiterated support for ASEAN’s stance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, in line with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. They emphasized the need for full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early conclusion of Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
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The two sides sign the dialogue minutes. |
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The two defense leaders witness the signing of the TOR on enhancing cooperation in military medicine. |
On this occasion, General Chien invited leaders of the Philippine Department of National Defense and Philippine defense industry enterprises to attend the 3rd Vietnam Defense Expo scheduled for late 2026.
The dialogue concluded with the signing of the minutes of the meeting and the witnessing of the signing of the Terms of Reference on strengthening cooperation in military medicine.
Translated by Tran Hoai