Defence Minister active in Shangri-La Dialogue

Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich attended a meeting between the US Secretary of Defence and ASEAN defence ministers on the sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31.

Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich attends a meeting between the US Secretary of Defence and ASEAN defence ministers on the sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31. (Photo: qdnd.vn)
Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich attends a meeting between the US Secretary of Defence and ASEAN defence ministers on the sidelines of Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

At the event, acting US Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan reaffirmed Washington’s free and open Indo-Pacific policy, adding that the US supports cooperation mechanisms in which ASEAN leads and plays a central role.

The US is ready to partner with ASEAN to build a region of peace, stability and development, he said, stressing that Washington attaches importance to the freedom of navigation, aviation and trade.

The Vietnamese defence minister hosted a reception for his Republic of Korea (RoK) counterpart Jeong Kyeong-doo, during which Defence Minister Lich said Vietnam is willing to contribute to peace process on the Korean peninsula.

The two ministers agreed to continue promoting bilateral ties on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam - RoK Defence Cooperation through 2030, including defence industry and exchange of high-ranking delegations.

At a separate meeting, Minister Lich and his Australian counterpart Linda Reynolds vowed to reinforce ties across education-training and UN peacekeeping mission.