(VOVworld) – Shangri-La Dialogue 2015, an important security forum in Asia, was held in Singapore over the last 3 days. The dialogue conveyed a message that building trust and transparency is the precondition for maintaining an environment of peace and stability for cooperation and development in the context of security tensions in the region.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the 14th Shangri-La Dialogue opened in Singapore on May 29 (Photo: VNA)

The Shangri-La Dialogue was established 14 years ago at the initiative of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The dialogue has become an important security forum in Asia, which has the fastest pace of growth in the world in terms of finance, commerce, and national defense. Asia, at the same time, is facing formidable security challenges, including sovereignty disputes in the East Sea between China and some countries in the region. China’s construction of artificial islands near disputed areas and signs of its intention to militarize the East Sea have concerned the international community. This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue attracted approximately 500 delegates from 38 countries and international organizations, many of whom were senior defense officials.

Delegates at either official or sidelines meetings all stressed the importance of navigation and aviation freedom in the region. They called on all parties to show restraint, not to use force, and abide by international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as a precondition for settling disputes. Defense representatives from many countries agreed that successful cooperation must be based on 4 pillars: trust, transparency, security structure, and mutual benefit. US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said that sovereignty in the East Sea can not be addressed militarily and that a diplomatic solution is needed with ASEAN playing the central role in the regional security structure. Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani warned that reclamation activities in the East Sea could push the region to chaos. He urged countries including China to behave responsibly. Malaysia’s Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein urged parties involved in territory disputes to comply with international law.

Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen called on involved parties to exercise restraint in settling disputes in the East Sea. In his opening speech at the Dialogue, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong asked China and ASEAN member countries to soon adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea. The European Union also voiced its concern over the East Sea issue. In a joint statement released at the Japan-EU Summit within the framework of the Dialogue, both sides affirmed that they would closely follow the situation in the East Sea and said they were concerned by any unilateral actions that change the status quo and increase tensions in the East Sea. Japan also introduced the Shangri-La Dialogue Initiative aimed at strengthening maritime security in the region and proposing air surveillance in the East Sea 24 hours a day by ASEAN members. Despite international concerns, Chinese Defense Minister Sun Jianguo said China pursued a consistent policy of a responsible world power who abides by international principles. He said UN Principle need to be respected and this is the only way to achieve peaceful development. Mr. Sun Jianguo reiterated that Beijing would work with other countries in the principle of respecting the UN as the center to ensure peace. He called on other countries to promote trust and seek common views in addressing differences.

Vietnam contributes to Shangri-La Dialogue

Vietnam attended the Shangri-La Dialogue as a country with interests and sovereignty in the East Sea. Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh met with representatives of other countries and discussed a number of issues including the East Sea issue. Deputy Minister Vinh said the East Sea has become a major issue in the region and that delegates at the dialogue introduced several solutions to prevent miscalculations, violation of international law and conflicts. Vietnam shared the same view with the region and the world in settling disputes and differences through peaceful means on the basis of international law, equality and mutual respect.

Like other members of the international community, Vietnam shares the responsibility for developing the East Sea into a sea of peace, freedom and prosperity.