Why did Vietnam not speak at the 2017 Shangri-La Dialogue?

Mr. Vu Tien Trong, an official of the Vietnamese delegation attending the Asia Security Summit, said that Vietnam did not attend at the ministerial level so did not speak at the plenary session on this occasion.

Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the 2017 Shangri-La Dialogue taking place in Singapore, Major General Vu Tien Trong, Director of the Institute of International Defense Relations, said that the issue that is being discussed a lot in the general security situation in Asia is the affirmation of the role of major countries, especially the US:

Major General Vu Tien Trong. Photo: CT.

- Could you tell us about the participation of the delegation of high-ranking officials of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense at Shangri-La?

- The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense delegation has actively and proactively participated in the first conferences since 2002. At the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense has prepared quite carefully, including messages for the plenary session and simultaneous sessions.

However, the organizing committee's principle is to only give priority to the defense ministers of each country to speak at the plenary session. We see that even India and China do not send ministerial-level representatives, but only lower-level representatives who do not speak. The same is true for the Vietnamese delegation. We must accept the principles and regulations of the organizing committee as well as the host country.

- Why did the head of the Vietnamese delegation not participate in speaking at the plenary sessions?

- As mentioned above, the number of participants is very large, up to more than 20 defense ministers and equivalents of various countries, so the agenda statements in the plenary sessions are given priority to the ministerial level. Therefore, our deputy ministerial level is not allowed to participate in speaking. Vietnam, as well as India and China, all attend at the deputy ministerial level or lower, so we do not speak at the plenary session.

The US Secretary of Defense affirmed at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 3 that China's unilateral actions in the East Sea are unacceptable. Photo: CT.

- How do you assess the main issues on the agenda at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue?

- The conference paid special attention to current regional security issues, including common security issues, focusing on awareness issues, affirming the role of major countries, especially the US, in security issues in Asia as well as other major countries such as China.

Major countries have the responsibility to work together to solve current hot security issues, such as denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, international anti-terrorism, disputes in the East Sea, etc., or emerging issues such as global cyber security.

These are all issues that Shangri-La has recognized, evaluated or proposed on cooperation orientations to maintain a stable and peaceful region, so that all countries can benefit together, which is peace and common prosperous development.

- What do you think about the Australian Prime Minister's speech at the opening session?

- The international and regional communities yesterday paid close attention to the message the Australian Prime Minister delivered at the opening session.

The message is clear. First, respect for the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law in all international affairs. Second, recognition of the role of the United States in regional security issues; and recognition that China's rise in the region brings common benefits to small and medium-sized countries to develop together.

However, the Australian Prime Minister also called on China to be responsible and act in accordance with the law in the region, asking China to act more responsibly regarding disputes in the East Sea, East China Sea as well as handling the issue of North Korea's denuclearization.

The Australian Prime Minister also had an important message of supporting ASEAN's leading and central role in the regional security structure, while also having a message against deglobalization, calling on countries to take responsibility in cooperating to deal with current security threats such as the risk of international terrorism, global cyber security issues, etc.

Japanese Defense Minister talks with her Malaysian counterpart at the Shangri-La Dialogue on the morning of June 3. Photo: CT.

- As an active member of the Shangri-La Dialogue, how has Vietnam expressed and shared its views, especially on ways to resolve current conflicts?

- Vietnam is expected to participate and speak at the plenary session on the challenges of dealing with the current crisis. However, due to the principles and regulations of the organizing committee, Vietnam is at a lower level than the minister, so it is not allowed to officially speak at this plenary session.

Vietnam's point of view is that we see that there are many security issues that need to be jointly addressed, but there are still many challenges. First is the issue of awareness as well as different ways of behaving or applying international legal regulations, creating differences or mechanisms that are not enough to resolve current issues.

In addition, the interests of nations have not coincided with the interests of communities or the interests of common interests, causing differences to exist. Some nations even put national interests above the interests of the community. These are creating difficulties in the issue of awareness as well as common responsibility in handling current international issues in the region.

- In your opinion, how should major countries behave to demonstrate their responsible role, and what voice should ASEAN have to contribute to this process?

- The message of the Australian Prime Minister is very clear. First, major countries need to take responsibility in ensuring the maintenance of security order in the region, especially the US and China, as the Australian Prime Minister affirmed the role of the US in security engagement in the region; at the same time, acknowledging the rise of China but calling on China to take responsibility.

And all countries, big or small, must respect the rule of law, and all need to be equal and free within the framework of the rule of law in the world and the region.

The role of ASEAN has been, is and will be recognized as a center with a driving force, a leading force in regional security cooperation mechanisms, and is fully supported by China, the US and other major countries.

Therefore, ASEAN has become a community in recent years. We believe that with the support of major countries and countries outside the region, ASEAN will fulfill its mission as the center leading the current mechanisms.

According to Zing