Vietnam, Canada Discuss South China Sea Issue at First Defense Policy Dialogue

	Vietnam, Canada make efforts to effectively exploit CPTPP post-COVID-19
	Vietnam, Canada discuss joint investment opportunities
	Vietnam, Canada work to optimise benefits of CPTPP

Vietnam and Canada held their first defense policy dialogue on July 23. Photo: People's Army Newspaper

Vietnam and Canada stressed the significance of navigation and aviation freedom, and law observance in the South China Sea (Bien Dong Sea) during their first defense policy dialogue, held virtually on July 23.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and his Canadian counterpart Jody Thomas.

They said disputes should be addressed by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), considering it a shared responsibility of countries and the international community, for peace, stability, cooperation and the development of countries in the region and the world at large.

Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien. Photo: Photo: People's Army Newspaper

They spoke highly of outcomes of the Vietnam – Canada defence consultation held on July 7, and shared the view that that bilateral defence ties were growing positively in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defense cooperation signed by the two defense ministers in 2019, matching potential and demand of each nation.

Defense cooperation has become one of the important contents of the Vietnam – Canada comprehensive partnership and has been enhanced via dialogue, consultation, cooperation in training, peacekeeping and maritime security, and joint work at multilateral forums, they said.

Chien used the occasion to thank Canada for assisting Vietnam in the Covid-19 fight, saying despite geographical distance, the relationship between the two countries has been growing over the past nearly five decades.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien and his Canadian counterpart Jody Thomas. Photo: VNA

Vietnam always highly values Canada’s role and position on regional and global arenas, and wishes to boost the bilateral relations for the benefits of both countries, as well as for peace and common development in the region and the world, he said.

Chien pledged that Vietnam wiould continue its support to Canada in enhancing collaboration with the region in the principle of ASEAN’s consensus.

The Vietnamese side suggested Canada assist Vietnam in accessing Covid-19 vaccines and medical supplies.

The deputy ministers adopted the 2021-2023 defence cooperation plan, significantly contributing to strengthening bilateral defence ties, towards the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Canada diplomatic ties (1973-2023).

Vietnam, Canada share experience in combating COVID-19 First Deputy Foreign Minister of Canada Marta Morgan showed his appreciation for Vietnam's strong and proactive measures against COVID-19 epidemic during the phone talks on ...

Vietnam, Canada boost trade ties The bilateral trade enjoys an annual average growth of 20-25 percent and hit nearly USD 6 billion in 2017.

Vietnam, Canada to intensify defence cooperation Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Ngo Xuan Lich hosted an official welcome ceremony for and held talks with his Canadian counterpart Harjit Singh Sajjan in ...