On the afternoon of November 21st in Vientiane, Laos, an informal meeting of ASEAN and Chinese Defence Ministers took place, co-chaired by General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Laos, and General Dong Jun, Minister of Defence of China.
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| General Phan Van Giang met with General Dong Quan. – Photo: People's Army Newspaper |
The high-level delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, led by General Phan Van Giang, Member of the Political Bureau, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, and Minister of National Defence, attended the meeting.
General Dong Jun emphasized that China-ASEAN defense cooperation is becoming increasingly substantive and effective, contributing to maintaining security, stability, and development in the region. At the meeting, delegates reviewed the achievements and successful experiences of ASEAN-China defense cooperation, shared common concerns, and proposed directions for strengthening and promoting defense cooperation in the future.
Speaking at the meeting, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that in recent years, defense cooperation between ASEAN and China has been actively and effectively implemented. China has always actively participated in ASEAN-led defense and security cooperation mechanisms such as ADMM+ and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), proposing many confidence-building and capacity-building activities with ASEAN member states, such as the ASEAN-China Defence Research Institute Exchange, the ASEAN-China Young Officers Exchange, as well as activities within the framework of the ADMM+ Expert Group. With their existing experience and resources, ASEAN is confident that China and Brunei will successfully fulfill their roles as co-chairs of the ADMM+ Expert Group on Peacekeeping for the 2024-2027 cycle.
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| A view of the informal meeting between ASEAN and China's Defence Ministers. Photo: People's Army Newspaper (QĐND). |
To deepen cooperation, make it substantive, truly serve the interests of the people, and be commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership, General Phan Van Giang suggested that both sides should continue activities to strengthen trust through maintaining high-level dialogue and consultations, as well as other substantive cooperation activities such as delegation exchanges and information sharing.
General Phan Van Giang affirmed that Vietnam supports expanding the ASEAN Direct Line of Communication infrastructure with partners, including China. This is a step consistent with the ADMM's foreign relations orientation, aiming to enhance trust, information sharing, and timely handling of emerging situations. At the same time, it is necessary to continue maintaining exchanges between defense research institutes and exchanges between young and mid-level officers, thereby sharing perspectives, understanding, and mutual trust to contribute to realizing the goal of cooperation for peace, stability, and regional self-reliance.
General Phan Van Giang assessed that the efforts by ASEAN and China to promote negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) demonstrate goodwill and commitment to cooperation in resolving issues in the South China Sea. The early achievement of a substantive, effective, and legally compliant COC, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is essential.
On the sidelines of the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, General Phan Van Giang met with General Dong Jun. The two ministers agreed to promote defence cooperation, realizing the cooperation contents agreed upon by the high-level leaders of the two countries, in order to contribute to the healthy and stable development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and China.
Later that same day, General Phan Van Giang also attended the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Relations.
On the occasion of attending ADMM-18 and the 11th ADMM+ in Vientiane, General Phan Van Giang had a sideline discussion with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun on bilateral defense cooperation.
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| General Phan Van Giang held a bilateral meeting with Lieutenant General Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia. Photo: People's Army Newspaper |
General Phan Van Giang also held a bilateral meeting with Lieutenant General Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia. Both sides expressed pleasure at witnessing the continued significant achievements in bilateral defense cooperation in 2024. Notable achievements include maintaining good exchanges of delegations at all levels; effectively implementing cooperation in the fields of training, military medicine, military-branch cooperation, military media and news, military history, and military law; and maintaining effective coordination and consultation at international multilateral defense mechanisms and forums, especially ADMM+.
Emphasizing that in December, the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 2nd Vietnam International Defence Exhibition, General Phan Van Giang expressed his hope for the support and active participation of the leaders of the Russian Ministry of Defence as well as defence enterprises.
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