The April 1-3forum serves as a venue for defence ministers to talk about a future ofsafety, dynamism and peace for the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia inparticular, and ways to boost bilateral defence cooperation in rescueand post-disaster recovery.
Besides discussions, they will also tour several defence facilities in Honolulu.
In its statement on April 1, the Pentagon announced that the forumwill start a 10-day visit to Japan, China and Mongolia by US Secretaryof Defence Chuck Hagel. His fourth Asia visit is meant to reaffirm“Pivot toward Asia” policy by Barack Obama administration.-VNA