Vietnam, South Africa hold third Defence Policy Dialogue
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien underscored that the Vietnam-South Africa defence cooperation has continued to develop positively, while co-chairing the third Vietnam – South Africa Defence Policy Dialogue took place in Hanoi on February 25.
Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (R) shakes hands with Acting Secretary for Defence of South Africa Thobekile Gamede. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The third Vietnam – South Africa Defence Policy Dialog🍬ue took place in Hanoi on February 25, co-chaired by Vietnam's Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Acting Secretary for Defence of South Africa Thobekile 💟Gamede.
During the dialogue, Chien underscored that the Vietnam-South Africa defence cooperation has continued to develop positively based on the agreement on defence ties signed in May 2006 and orientations agreed by defence leaders of the two countries, aligning with their capabilities and needs.
The bilateral partnership has yielded notable achievements across several domains, including regular high-level delegation exchanges and enhanced collaboration in the defence industry. Additional areas of cooperation include logistics, military medicine, UN peacekeeping operations, training, and mutual support at regional and international forums.
Participants at the dialogue (Photo: VNA)
Looking ahead, the two sides agreed to effectively carry out key missions such as continuing the exchange of delegations at all levels, maintaining the deputy minister-level Defence Policy Dialogue mechanism, strengthening defence industry cooperation, and bolstering collaboration in logistics, military medicine, and training. They were unanimous to coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums.
South Africa committed to supporting Vietnam's peacekeeping forces through experience sharing, training, and equipment provision.
Gamede, for her part, acknowledged the productive defence cooperation between the two countries, particularly in consultation, dialogue, delegation exchange, information sharing, defence industry, and UN peacekeeping operations.
Speaking highly of Vietnam’s contributions to solving regional and international issues, she expressed her hope that the Vietnam – South Africa defence cooperation will be thriving and develop in a more sunstantive and effective manner.
Touching on regional and international issues of mutual concerns, Chien laid stress on Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and multilateralisation and diversification of external relations.
Vietnam stands ready to cooperate with countries and international organisations for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world while maintaining its Four Nos defence policy and advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law.
On the East Sea issue, Vietnam's consistent position is that all parties must adhere to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and expedite negotiations to conclude an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC), Chien stated./.
Minister of National Defence General Phan Văn Giang on February 25 met with Acting Secretary for Defence of South Africa Thobekile Gamede as part of the latter's visit to Vietnam. Giang suggested the two sides reach a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation.
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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.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
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).
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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.
