Hanoi (VNA)ꦡ – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh laid stress on the significance of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 that carries the message of peace, cooperation and development while attending the event’s opening held in Hanoi on December 19.

Affirming Vietnam as a peace lover that values friendship, righteousness and fairness in international relations, PM Chinh underscored that Vietnam has remained steadfast in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, as well as being a trustworthy friend and partner of all nations and a proactive and responsible member of the international community. That Vietnam is proactively expanding defence diplomacy and collaboration aims at bolstering friendship and mutual understanding, building confidence, and settling security and safety issues with global peers to prevent conflicts and wars in accordance with basic principles of international law, contributing to peace, prosperity, and cooperation for common development in the region and the world, he stated. Having endured the hardships of war, Vietnam deeply values the importance of friendship, peace, cooperation, and development, he said, adding that the nation stands firmly with its “four nos” defence policy of no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases or use of the Vietnamese territory against other nations, and no use or threat of force in international relations. The Government leader went on to say that Vietnam is developing a revolutionary, professional, elite and modern armed forces, with defence capabilities strong enough to protect and safeguard the nation from early and afar. The country is pursuing a self-reliant and internationally integrated defence industry development strategy, with priority given to the research, development and application of advanced technology into the defence industry. This approach aims to enhance both defence capabilities and economic development, serving both strategic national interests and the people’s needs. The expo, he said, is the affirmation for Vietnam’s role and contributions to the international defence cooperation, noting that it stands as a symbol of trust, respect, and goodwill among nations striving for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world. Additionally, the event also demonstrates the meaningful support and sentiment from international friends towards Vietnam as well as its people and army –a heroic military force of a heroic nation that consistently demonstrates sincerity, trustworthiness, and responsibility in international relations. The participation of 66 international delegations and over 240 defence industry enterprises from 49 countries reflects Vietnam's growing prestige in organising international defence exhibitions. PM Chinh emphasised that the exhibition serves as an opportunity to strengthen relationships and welcome international friends, sharing Vietnamese culture, arts, and cuisine while introducing the land and people of Vietnam. The expo is one of the key events celebrating the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the 35th anniversary of the All-People Defence Festival (December 22). Its opening ceremony featured a spectacular display by over 2,000 military personnel, including aerial demonstrations by the Vietnamese Air Force and special forces combat performances. The four-day event, spanning a total area of over 100,000 sq.m with both indoor and outdoor exhibition zones at Gia Lam Airport, draws more than 200 domestic and foreign exhibitors from 30 countries and territories worldwide, including China, France, India, Israel, the UK and the US. Within the framework of the exhibition, exchange programmes to promote collaboration between agencies, units, and enterprises, as well as among enterprises themselves; thematic workshops on military technology; and activities showcasing achievements in defence cooperation, will be arranged./.