The aforementioned experts work in countries with earlier time zones than Vietnam, so typically, for events taking place in the late afternoon or evening, they would send their interview responses the following day. However, as mentioned, they managed to share their insights for Thanh Nien newspaper to publish the following morning in print, as the experts themselves admitted to eagerly anticipating the speech from the head of the Vietnamese Party and State at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Prior to this, information about General Secretary and President To Lam's speech at the event had been published by many major, reputable regional and international news agencies, attracting the attention of observers and researchers.
Responding to Thanh Nien newspaper , international experts unanimously agreed that the speech by General Secretary and President To Lam, themed "Proactively building peace, stability, and development in a volatile world," concisely and accurately assessed the prominent issues facing the world in general, and the Asia-Pacific region in particular. These are three fundamental crises occurring simultaneously and impacting each other: the crisis of international order, the crisis of the development model, and the crisis of strategic trust.
"General Secretary and President To Lam's speech not only addressed traditional security issues and focused on the nation, but also broader aspects of security, including socio- economic development and strategic trust," Professor Kei Koga (Program for Global Affairs and Public Policy, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) analyzed in response to the author's question.
From clearly outlining the challenges, the speech proposed concrete solutions for the region, especially the ASEAN bloc. Both the challenges and solutions were presented comprehensively and clearly. Of course, from identifying the issues to coordinating implementation and achieving success in addressing major regional challenges, it is a difficult journey requiring combined efforts, not only from Vietnam but also from the international community. In this context, the speech has significant guiding importance, affirming Vietnam's role and position in the region.
During his less than week-long trip, General Secretary and President To Lam visited Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. Of these three countries, Thailand and Singapore are comprehensive strategic partners of Vietnam, while the Philippines is a strategic partner that, through this visit, has been elevated to an enhanced strategic partnership. All three destinations are important partners of Vietnam, and conversely, Vietnam is also a key partner of theirs in the region.
Therefore, this visit is significant not only in strengthening relations between Vietnam and Southeast Asian countries, but also in contributing to ASEAN's internal consolidation – a key factor for regional peace and stability. As General Secretary and President To Lam pointed out in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue: "ASEAN's central role is not self-sufficient and does not come naturally. ASEAN can only maintain that role through solidarity, strategic autonomy, and the capacity to create a common agenda. Inclusiveness must be linked to effectiveness, dialogue must generate action, and consensus must help the region respond promptly to common issues."
In February of this year, General Secretary and President To Lam published an article titled "Promoting Comprehensive Foreign Relations at a New Level," outlining Vietnam's foreign policy strategy. The article emphasized: "At a new level, foreign relations will be implemented with greater confidence, autonomy, self-reliance, and self-strength; contributing more effectively to the country's strategic goals; and demonstrating greater responsibility towards world peace and development."
In less than six months, General Secretary and President To Lam has visited and worked in a series of countries. Conversely, European Council President Antonio Costa, Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae… have visited Vietnam. Thus, in a short period, Vietnam has engaged in high-level diplomatic activities with five comprehensive strategic partners: the United States, China, South Korea, Japan, and India. This list of partners also includes Vietnam's five largest trading partners: China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, and the EU.
All of this demonstrates the realization of the strategy "Strengthening comprehensive foreign relations to a new level" aimed at enhancing Vietnam's position and role not only in the region.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hien-thuc-hoa-doi-ngoai-tam-cao-185260602222007949.htm
