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May 24, 2019 / 09:36

Vietnam to attend the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue

This year, the dialogue would see the first presence in eight year of a Chinese defense minister.

Vietnam will participate in the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore later this year, showing its positive role in regional security issues, said Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.
During a regular press conference on Thursday, a reporter raised question whether Vietnam would address the concern of militarization in the East Sea, known internationally as the South China sea, during the Shangri-La Dialogue this year, which will see the first presence in eight years of a Chinese defense minister. 

 
Vietnamese Spokesperson of Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang
Spokesperson of the Vietnamese foreign ministry Le Thi Thu Hang. Photo: MOFA
Over the issue, Hang said: “Shangri-La is a key security forum in the region. As far as I’m concerned, Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich will lead the Vietnam delegation to attend the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore."
Vietnam’s attendance in the forum shows its positive, active role and high responsibility with the aim to achieve better friendship and cooperation, experience sharing with countries over topics of mutual concern. Through the dialogue, the attendees build trust and foundation for peace and development in the region and worldwide.
“This is also the major and main target of Vietnam delegation at 18th Shangri-La in Singapore”, Hang asserted.
Earlier, international media reported that Defense Minister Wei Fenghe will deliver a speech on June 2 at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the first time since 2011 that a Chinese defense minister will attend the forum. China has sent in recent years officials of lower levels.