ASEAN defence ministers pose for a photo at the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in the Philippines (Photo: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The defence ministers of China,Japan and the US expressed their countries’ support for ASEAN’s central roleduring meetings with their ASEAN counterparts in the Philippines on October 23.
At a meeting with the ASEAN ministers, part ofthe 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-11), Chinese Defence MinisterChang Wanquan welcomed ASEAN countries’ sharing of experience with his countryand their work to build a closer community.
As the region is facing numerous challenges andopportunities, cooperation among ASEAN countries as well as between the groupand China is crucial for coping with those challenges, including terrorism, hesaid, adding that China is ready to assist the bloc in fighting terrorism.
Vietnamese Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lichconsidered the meeting between the ASEAN and Chinese defence ministersnecessary for them to discuss issues of shared concern, especially in defenceand military, so as to help build and maintain trust, devise measures to dealwith challenges, and enhance ASEAN’s solidarity for the sake of ASEAN andChina’s common interests.
Vietnam appreciates China’s support for ASEAN’scentral role as well as its active contribution to building ASEAN-led defencecooperation mechanisms such as the ADMM-Plus and the ASEAN Regional Forum, henoted.
Lich asked both sides to consider expanding theASEAN Direct Communication Infrastructure, which was put into use this year, tothe bloc’s partner countries, including China, so that they can boostinformation exchange and consultations on issues of shared concern.
ASEAN and China recently built a framework for aCode of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, which is a positive stride, and theyshould work towards an effective and legally binding COC. To do that, each sideneeds to cooperate sincerely, the Vietnamese minister said.
The ADMM-11 joint statement underscored thevalue of promoting people-to-people exchange among defence agencies, which Lichdescribed as a very effective way to strengthen trust and win-win cooperation.
[ASEAN Defence Ministers reaffirm importance of peace in East Sea]
He added Vietnam and China held borderfriendship exchanges with the most recent held in September.
At another meeting, Japanese Defence MinisterItsunori Onodera also voiced his country’s support for ASEAN’s central role,noting that Japan wants to make use of opportunities to foster cooperation withthe grouping. It also pledges to help enhance the bloc’s capacity, particularlyin terms of technology, and will step up relations based on the VientianeVision.
The ASEAN ministers highlighted that ASEAN-Japancooperation has been expanded in multiple sectors. They valued Japan’s supportfor ASEAN and hoped that through cooperation, the country will further contributeto peace, stability and security in the region.
Minister Lich noted ASEAN appreciated Japan’ssupport for keeping its central role in the region. He said the two sidesshould maintain meetings to reinforce defence ties.
Also respecting the bloc’s central role in theregion’s peace and stability, US Defence Secretary James Mattis shared hiscountry’s viewpoints on counter-terrorism and marine security, stressing thatthe US backs the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Partiesin the East Sea (DOC) and the conclusion of the COC.
The ASEAN ministers said they want the US tocontinue contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea alongwith the fight against terrorism.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Lich saidsecurity, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation at sea, particularlythe East Sea, is among key problems facing regional countries. All countries inthe region need to overcome differences to reach consensus on the basis ofinternational law and the reached commitments.
He asked the US to advocate the peaceful settlementof East Sea disputes based on international law, including the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea, and with full respect for diplomatic andlegal processes.
He also applauded the US’s enhancement ofcooperation with ASEAN in counter-terrorism, marine security, humanitarian aid,and disaster relief, which are cooperation fields within the framework of theADMM-Plus. Lich added that effective cooperation in these areas will help deepenthe Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership.
On the sidelines of the ADMM-11, Minister Lich alsomet with his Lao counterpart Chansamon Channhalat.-VNA
VNA
