Vietnam, Thailand hold 6th defence policy dialogue
Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Defence Gen. Sanitchanog Sangkachantra co-chaired the 6th Vietnam-Thailand Defence Policy Dialogue in Bangkok on March 18, reaffirming their dedication to advancing bilateral defence cooperation in alignment with their Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien meets with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA)♋ - Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Defence Gen. Sanitchanog Sangkachantra co-chaired the 6th Vietnam-Thailand Defence Policy Dialogue in Bangkok on March 18, reaffirming their dedication to advancing bilateral defence cooperation in alignment with their Enhanced Strategic Partnership.
The dialogue saw both sides exchanging insights on global and regional issues of shared concern, underlining the region's role and ASEAN-led mechanisms. They pledged to actively contribute to strengthening ASEAN's solidarity and central role in regional security architecture, while emphasising the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful measures based on international law.
Chien highlighted Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations. He reiterated the country's "Four No's" defence policy and settlement of disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law. Regarding the East Sea, issue, Vietnam maintains that all parties involved must respect international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and adhere to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), while expediting the conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Delegates at the 6th Vietnam-Thailand Defence Policy Dialogue pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)
Bilateral defence cooperation has flourished, with both nations praising significant achievements in delegation exchanges, education and training, military medicine, border management, transnational crime prevention, and overcoming the consequencies of post-war bombs and mines.The two sides agreed to expand cooperation further in human resources training, policy research, cybersecurity, and international relations, while continuing to engage in multilateral forums and ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The same day, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chien met with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, during which he briefed the host on the successful outcomes of the 6th Defence Policy Dialogue.
Chien praised Thailand's proactive role in promoting multilateral cooperation in ASEAN, which, he said, had strengthened intra-bloc solidarity and elevated ASEAN's global standing. He expressed his hope that the Thai government would continue to facilitate robust bilateral defense ties, fostering peace and stability across the region.
Phumtham reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to implementing the dialogue's outcomes and expanding cooperation in key areas, including strengthening cooperation between the Vietnam Coast Guard and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre, cybersecurity cooperation, and combating cross-border crime. Both sides pledged to maintain strong coordination in multilateral forums, particularly within ASEAN, contributing to regional unity and security./.
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The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
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Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
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The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.