    |
 |
|
Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang and other delegates at the fourth plenary session of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue |
The Vietnamese defense chief stated that when addressing the fourth plenary session of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue hosted by Singapore on June 11.
According to General Giang, it resulted from the fact that while peace, cooperation and development have always been the common aspiration of mankind, strategic competition, conflicts of interests, and disputes over sovereignty and territory between countries would continue to occur.
General Giang confirmed that Vietnam’s national defense is the whole people’s defense posture. It is peaceful and self-defense in its nature; active, proactive, resolute and persistent in preventing and repulsing the risks of war. Vietnam’s policy is to strengthen its defense capability with its own internal strength, conditions and capabilities. Vietnam does not join any military alliances, support one country against another, or allow any other countries to set up military bases or use its territory to carry out military operations against other countries. Vietnam also does not use or threaten to use force in international relations.
In his speech, Defense Minister Giang underscored Vietnam’s policy of actively integrating into the world in a comprehensive, and intensive manner and building and boosting strategic trust with other countries. He stressed that Vietnam always wishes to expand defense cooperation with other nations to enhance capabilities to defend the country, jointly address common security challenges on the basis of respecting each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the basic principles of international laws, and to cooperate for mutual benefits, for the common benefit of the world, the region and the international community.
|
|
 |
|
General Giang addresses the fourth plenary session. |
General Giang stressed that Vietnam has always been consistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, win-win cooperation and development; diversification and multilateralization of relations; being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community.
Regarding the East Sea (internationally South China Sea) issue, the Vietnamese defense minister said that Vietnam resolutely and firmly adheres to the principle of settling disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of respecting independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests of countries.
He added that Vietnam complies with international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, and commits itself to strictly implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and looks forward to building an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) with better legal clarity.
General Giang’s speech received highly appreciation from delegates, speakers, and international observers.
After his speech, General Giang answered questions raised by delegates. The Vietnamese defense chief stressed that Vietnam especially treasures its relations with neighbors, including China, Laos, and Cambodia.
Reported by Ngoc Ha from Singapore
Translated by Mai Huong