Defense minister attends 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Addressing the event, Phan said that Viet Nam always follows its consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of relations, being a good friend and a trusted partner to all countries, and an active and responsible member of the international community.

Viet Nam also steadfastly follows its defense policy of peace and self-defense, not participating in military alliances or partnering with one country to fight against another, not allowing foreign countries to set up military bases in Viet Nam or use its territory against other countries, and not using force or threatening to use force in international relations, he added.

Viet Nam calls on all nations to adhere to international law, respect independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests of each other with a view to building a world of peace, cooperation and prosperity, the minister said.

Countries, especially developing ones, need to uphold "strategic autonomy," respect diversity, uniqueness and specific conditions of each nation while always aiming for a unity and consensus in awareness, responsibility, and action in the face of global security issues, recommended Phan. 

Each nation should fulfill its commitments, uphold its obligations to the international community, and demonstrate the sense of responsibility, he proposed. 

According to Phan, the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), which is in talks with initial progresses, will not only address specific security issues but also specify international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the commitment of relevant stakeholders.

On the occasion, Minister Phan Van Giang held bilateral meetings with his Lao and Cambodian counterparts, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn./.