Admm+

The South China Sea issues have been high on the regional agendas, in discussions, and in joint statements of regional defense ministers since 2011.

The ministers agreed to boost security and ensure freedom of navigation and a favorable environment to settle territorial disputes in the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam) in a peaceful manner.

ADMM-Plus requires avoiding the deepening of mistrust, miscalculation, and patterns of behavior based on a zero-sum game.

Peacekeeping is one of the key issues in the platform between ASEAN member states and their eight partners.

ASEAN defense ministers have addressed traditional and non-traditional security threats since they gathered for meetings in 2006.

The pandemic has prompted joint efforts under the Vietnam’s Chairmanship in the course of unprecedented challenges that threat the 10-nation region of 622 million people.

The partnership is believed to be essential for the region amid uncertainties in the global security.

Member states acknowledge the importance of practical cooperation mechanism for ADMM-Plus.

Conducting drills is one of measures that the regional defense forces have planned to cope with the epidemic.