PM to spotlight foreign policy at Shangri La Dialogue

In his opening keynote address on May 31, Vietnam will be described as a reliable friend and partner of all countries which is actively and proactively integrating into the world. 
The speech will also manifest Vietnam’s national defence and security policy for peace, stability and development cooperation in the region and voice Vietnam’s stance on important regional issues, including peace, stability and maritime security in the East Sea. 

The organisers’ invitation of PM Dung to attend and deliver an opening remark reflects the appreciation of Vietnam’s role and position. This is also a good chance for the country to boost the implementation of the Resolution of the 11th Communist Party of Vietnam Congress on the policy of active and proactive international integration. 

The three-day event will focus discussions on the US approach to regional security, protection of national interests and conflict prevention, military modernisation and strategic transparency, China’s role in regional security, regional and global institutions and Asia security, and promoting defence cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. 

In addition, special sessions will touch upon how to prevent conflicts at sea, new military technologies and doctrines, defence diplomacy and conflict prevention, and information network dimension and Asia security. 

Initiated by the International Institute for Strategy Studies (IISS), the annual Shangri La Dialogue was first held in 2002. It is a venue for leaders, policymakers and scholars across the Asia-Pacific to discuss regional and global situations, strategic orientations for regional security, and measures to promote defence cooperation and enhance mutual understanding and trust. 

This year’s event will gather government leaders, defence ministers and top security analysts from 27 Asia-Pacific countries, including 10 ASEAN member nations and others such as China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, Russia, Canada, the UK and France. 

Vietnam and Singapore have seen good relationship over the past time with the regular exchange of delegations at all levels. During President Truong Tan Sang’s State visit to Singapore, the two sides agreed in principle to bring bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. 

As scheduled, the two countries’ leaders will sign an official document to lift bilateral ties on the occasion of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Vietnam this year. 

The two nations are also celebrating the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2013. 

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Singapore rose to 9 billion USD last year from 6.2 billion USD in 2010. Singapore is now one of the largest investors in Vietnam with nearly 1,100 projects worth 24 billion USD in total. 

Singapore is now home to 9,000 Vietnamese students. Over the past 20 years, 13,000 Vietnamese officials have been trained in the island country.