Viet Nam responds to Singaporean PM’s speech at Shangri-La Dialogue

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the above statement in response to reporters’ queries on June 4 about Viet Nam’s response to the speech of the Singaporean Prime Minister at the dialogue and the information posted on his Facebook page on May 31 saying Viet Nam had “invaded” and “occupied” Cambodia.

Hang said the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry discussed this issue with the Singaporean counterpart.

Viet Nam’s contribution and sacrifice to the Cambodian people’s efforts to end the Khmer Rouge genocide regime have been widely recognized, Hang stated.

On November 16, 2018, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) issued a verdict on the crime against humanity committed by the Khmer Rouge. The ruling reflected objectively the historical truth, enforcing justice and making fair restitution to victims, which was welcomed by the international community and the United Nations, she added.

The recent accomplishments of ASEAN are the result of joint efforts of all member nations throughout the history of the association, the Spokesperson said, adding that each member is deeply aware of the importance of strengthening the intra-bloc solidarity based on mutual respect and ASEAN’s common principles.

As an active and responsible member of ASEAN, Viet Nam has and will continue working with other members to build a strong ASEAN community of unity and solidarity playing the central role in the region, the Spokesperson reiterated.

In response to PM Lee’s speech, Cambodian Minister of Defense Tea Banh Defence Minister General Tea Banh and a CPP lawmaker have lashed out at Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for accusing the Vietnamese troops of invading Cambodia to topple the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979, according to Khmer Times.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport on Monday night, Gen. Banh said that he has asked Mr Ng Eng Hen to inform Mr Lee to make correction on his remark.

“His [Mr Lee’s] remark was not true and not reflective of the history,” Gen Banh said. 

 By Thuy Dung