Vietnam attends forum preparing for 2021 Shangri-La Dialogue
Vietnam took part in the 9th Fullerton Forum, held in the format of videoconference on January 18 and 19 to prepare for the Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, the Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper reported.
Lt. Gen. Vu Chien Thang, Director of the Foreign Relations Department at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, speaks at the teleconferenced 9th Fullerton Forum (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam took part inthe 9th Fullerton Forum, held in the format of videoconference on January 18and 19 to prepare for the Asia Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-LaDialogue, the Quan doi Nhan dan (People’s Army) newspaper reported.
The forum, with the participation more than 20Asian-Pacific nations, was an occasion for defence policy makers to discussemerging security challenges ahead of the 2021 Shangri-La Dialogue.
Basing on countries’ concerns, organisers of the2021 Shangri-La Dialogue will identify issues that attract great attention todesign the agenda for the coming event, set to take place in Singapore fromJune 4 - 6.
At the Fullerton Forum, Lt. Gen. Vu Chien Thang,Director of the Foreign Relations Department at the Vietnamese Ministry ofNational Defence, delivered a speech at the third session on the strategic usesof emerging technologies.
He noted that scientific and technologicaladvances have considerably contributed to economic development and ensuring defence- security in each country, while creating a solid foundation for proactiveresponse to impacts of non-traditional security challenges, including theCOVID-19 pandemic.
However, there are also adverse effects, Thangnoted, elaborating that scientific and technological advances are among causesof new forms of warfare such as cyberwarfare and “grey-zone” warfare, as wellas risks of conflict and tension escalation.
Given this, he pointed out the necessity to havemechanisms for managing and monitoring the application of military scientificand technological advances to minimise adverse impacts.
Thang suggested that countries should keep theirdefence and military science - technology development policies transparent.They also need to enhance international cooperation to manage risks thatadvanced technology may pose to security of each country, the region and theworld at large.
Dr Samir Puri, an senior fellow at theInternational Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) – the organising body ofthe Fullerton Forum and the Shangri-La Dialogue, who chaired the third session,applauded Vietnam laying emphasis on the need to bring into play effectiveregional security cooperation mechanisms led by ASEAN, including the ASEANRegional Forum, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, andthe ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, in mainlining strategic dialogue andusing information technology to organise teleconferenced discussions./.
Organisers of the 2020 Shangri-La Dialogue have announced that the forum, initially scheduled for June 5-7 in Singapore, will be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) has become an effective and practical defence-security consultative mechanism, helping the region cope with emerging non-traditional security challenges over the past decade, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.
The 7th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) was held via videoconference on December 10 under the chair of Vietnam’s Minister of National Defence, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich.
ASEAN+3 countries must work together to complete a legal framework for cyber security, looking towards building common ASEAN rules and standards for information security based on voluntary codes of conduct, said Deputy Minister of Public Security Bui Van Nam.
The annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore will take place this year after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Singaporean Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen has said.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
Lt. Gen. Vu Chien Thang, Director of the Foreign Relations Department at the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, speaks at the teleconferenced 9th Fullerton Forum (Photo: qdnd.vn) 
