Vietnam, Japan hold 11th Vietnam-Japan Defense Policy Dialogue

PANO - The 11th Vietnam-Japan Defense Policy Dialogue took place in Fukuoka, Japan on February 10 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister Defense Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and his Japanese counterpart Kano Koji.

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During the dialogue, the two sides exchanged views on the global and regional situation and other issues of common concern. General Chien affirmed that Vietnam consistently pursues foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, development, multilateralization and diversification of relations. Vietnam is ready to cooperate with other countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, and consistently advocates resolving all disagreements at sea by peaceful means, on the basis of international law. Vietnam remains steadfast in its "four no's" defense policy.

Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and his Japanese counterpart Kano Koji at the event

Regarding the East Sea (internationally South China Sea) issue, the Vietnamese deputy defense minister emphasized the need to comply with international practices and laws, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and to expedite the completion of negotiations for a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

For his part, Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Kano Koji emphasized the importance of the Vietnam - Japan relationship in general and the defense cooperation between the two countries in particular. Sharing his views on the global and regional situation, Kano Koji emphasized the principle of respect for the rule of law and the collective effort to build a peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developed environment. He expressed confidence that the frank and active exchange during the dialogue would significantly contribute to promoting the substantive and effective development of Vietnam - Japan defense cooperation in the future.

The two delegations at the event

Deputy Minister Kano Koji praised Vietnam's role in promoting peace and cooperation in the region and the world, expressing admiration for Vietnam’s achievements in the struggles for national independence and reunification, as well as its current nation-building efforts. He expressed delight at the significant progress in bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries.

A view of the dialogue

Regarding bilateral defense cooperation, General Chien highlighted that since the 10th Vietnam - Japan Defense Policy Dialogue, the defense cooperation between the two countries has yielded practical results, notably in delegation exchanges at all levels, education and training, capacity-building cooperation; effective maintenance of dialogue mechanisms, consultations, and exchanges; defense industry; United Nations peacekeeping operations; war legacy settlement; military medicine; search and rescue. The two sides have cooperated and actively participated in multilateral activities organized by each defense ministry and supported each at international multilateral forums.

The Vietnamese official hoped that Japan would continue expanding training programs, increasing the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, and supporting Vietnam in the areas of U.N. peacekeeping and war legacy settlement. He also expressed support for Japan to enhance cooperation in multilateral forums, particularly those in ASEAN, for regional peace, stability, and cooperation.

The two sides agreed that the bilateral defense relationship has yielded many practical results and still has room for further development in the future. They agreed to continue promoting deeper Vietnam - Japan defense cooperation according to the agreed contents and cooperation mechanisms.