Vietnam proposes five solutions to reduce military tensions and establish long-term trust

At the SDD-14 Dialogue, in front of more than 1,000 international officials, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien proposed five solutions to reduce military tensions and establish long-term trust.

Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Vice Minister of National Defence , Head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the 14th Seoul Defence Dialogue (SDD-14) in South Korea. (Photo provided by the Ministry of National Defence)

At the invitation of the South Korean Ministry of National Defence, from September 8-10, a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, led by Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Vice Minister of National Defence, attended the 14th Seoul Defence Dialogue (SDD-14) in South Korea. Vice Minister Hoang Xuan Chien also delivered an important speech at the Dialogue.

The SDD Dialogue is a major international forum on regional and global security, organized annually by the South Korean Ministry of Defense since 2012. It attracts a large number of high-ranking officials, experts, and scholars specializing in defense and security from many countries and international organizations. The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense has sent delegates to all previous SDD Dialogues.

This year's SDD Dialogue was attended by over 1,000 officials from 68 countries and international organizations. SDD-14 this year included 3 plenary sessions, 3 special sessions, expert sessions, and 2 working group meetings on the sidelines of the Dialogue.

The Vietnamese delegation at the Dialogue. (Photo provided by the Ministry of National Defence)

The plenary sessions included: Minimizing geopolitical confrontation and restoring strategic stability; Reducing military tensions and establishing lasting trust; Enhancing future security through artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

In his opening remarks, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized that the world is undergoing significant changes, with geopolitical competition intensifying. The world is simultaneously facing new security threats, large-scale disasters, infectious diseases, technological terrorism, and disinformation. In this context, strengthening international cooperation has become more important and urgent than ever.

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back delivers the opening remarks. (Photo provided by the Ministry of Defense)

At the Dialogue, delegates discussed pressing global security issues, restoring strategic stability, and building future security capabilities.

In his speech at Plenary Session 2, "Reducing Military Tensions and Establishing Lasting Trust," Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defence, Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, highly appreciated the topic of the discussion session and emphasized that this is a timely and strategic issue in the context of today's rapidly changing and unpredictable world.

Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defence, Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, speaks at the Dialogue. (Photo: Provided by the Ministry of National Defence)

General Hoang Xuan Chien stated that in recent years, the world has entered a new phase of instability. These challenges have plunged nations into a spiral of mistrust, eroding strategic confidence, leading to escalating military tensions and an arms race. International historical experience shows that multilateral mechanisms and forums play a crucial role in mitigating military tensions and building long-term strategic trust.

Currently emerging as important security dialogue mechanisms are the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Seoul Dialogue, Shangri-La Dialogue, the Moscow International Security Conference, and especially the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+), which help reduce the risk of strategic misunderstandings not only at the regional but also at the global level.

Deputy Minister Hoang Xuan Chien emphasized that over the years, Vietnam has consistently pursued an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy, ready to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the world, while also being an active and responsible member of the international community.

In the field of defense, Vietnam consistently adheres to the "four no's" policy, while considering transparency in military information, adherence to international law, and a commitment to resolving disputes peacefully as the foundation for building long-term trust.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, Vietnam's consistent stance is that all maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS-1982), fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and striving to soon achieve a substantive, effective, and legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

General Hoang Xuan Chien stated that Vietnam consistently adheres to its "four no's" policy, while considering transparency in military information, adherence to international law, and a commitment to resolving disputes peacefully as the foundation for building long-term trust. (Photo provided by the Ministry of National Defence)

In order to reduce military tensions and establish long-term trust, General Hoang Xuan Chien proposed five groups of solutions.

First, it is necessary to abide by international law. Every country, large or small, must comply with international law, especially the United Nations Charter, international treaties, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and internationally recognized general principles of law.

Secondly, we must continue to uphold multilateralism, promote the role of international organizations, and jointly maintain and expand strategic defense, security, and diplomatic dialogue at all levels – these are the pillars of international relations. Dialogue helps to resolve misunderstandings, manage crises, and strengthen cooperation. Forums like the Seoul Dialogue have proven valuable in creating a space for parties to exchange views frankly and find common ground, even when deep disagreements exist.

Delegates pose for a group photo. (Photo provided by the Ministry of Defence)

Thirdly , respect for independence and territorial sovereignty is essential. Every nation, large or small, needs to respect each other's independence, sovereignty, and legitimate interests. Any unilateral action or imposition of authoritarian politics will only increase suspicion, conflict, and hinder cooperation.

Fourth , enhance transparency in policies and strategies. According to Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, mechanisms are needed to encourage countries to be transparent in their policies and strategies, as well as military activities such as large-scale exercises, drills, freedom of navigation and aviation operations, etc., while also promoting the establishment of hotlines to handle emergencies.

Fifth, we are committed to cooperating to maintain peace and stability, and build strategic trust in the region and internationally. Countries need to strengthen and expand international cooperation in various fields, especially in responding to non-traditional security challenges.

To reduce military tensions and build lasting trust, Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien proposed five groups of solutions. (Photo: Provided by the Ministry of National Defence)

Concluding his speech, General Hoang Xuan Chien stated that reducing military tensions and establishing long-term trust is not only a political choice, but also an objective necessity for maintaining peace, stability, and development in the 20th century.

Vietnam believes that "when tensions subside, trust will blossom," and that with sincerity, genuine trust, and a sense of responsibility, all parties will work together to avert the risks of conflict, jointly build peace, and maintain a stable environment for cooperation and prosperous development for each nation and for the whole world.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-de-xuat-5-giai-phap-giam-cang-thang-quan-su-va-thiet-lap-long-tin-lau-dai-327110.html