ASEAN - China Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting virtually held

(Bqp.vn) - On the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN - China Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting was virtually held under the chair of Major General Pehin Datu Lailaraja Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof, Brunei’s Minister of Defence II.

The meeting saw the attendance of ASEAN defence ministers, ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi and Chinese Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Wei Fenghe. The Vietnamese delegation led by Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence attended the event.

Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Major General Pehin Datu Lailaraja Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Md Yussof emphasized that, despite the impact of COVID-19, the meeting demonstrated the friendly relationship between ASEAN and China, especially in such difficult time.

The event took place on the occasion of ASEAN and China marking the 30th anniversary of their dialogue partnership (1991 - 2021). The Brunei’s Minister of Defence II expressed his belief that ASEAN and China would find innovative ways to maintain and promote their cooperation in the coming time.

At the meeting, delegates reviewed the results of defence cooperation between ASEAN and China over the past time; exchange their views on international and regional situations of mutual interest.

The Vietnamese delegation attending the meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Speaking at the meeting, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang emphasized the importance of the ASEAN - China cooperation to peace and stability in the region; highly appreciated China’s role and ASEAN - China defence-security cooperation over the past time, especially within the frameworks of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Referring to the East Sea issue, Senior Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang suggested that the parties should resolve disputes in peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).