(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam adheres to the Four No’s defense policy, that is not participating in military alliances, not aligning with one country to oppose another, not allowing foreign military bases or using its territory against any other country, and not using force or threatening to use force in international relations, said General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam.
 Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 in Singapore on May 31. Photo: VOV
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In his address at the Shangri-la Dialogue 2025 in Singapore on Saturday, Minister Giang voiced concerns over unprecedented global turbulence, and more intense strategic competition between major countries. The risk of an arms race and military conflicts is high. The rise of authoritarian ideology and narrow-minded nationalism is challenging international law, eroding multilateral institutions and trust in global cooperation, he said.
On the East Sea issue, Minister Phan Van Giang said, “Vietnam unswervingly and persistently pursues resolving all disputes by peaceful means, in compliance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) as well as effective and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Vietnam hopes to soon formulate a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), contributing to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.”
In his speech, the Vietnamese Defense Minister said that as a nation that has experienced pain and loss of war, Vietnam understands more than anyone else the value of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development. Vietnam will persistently implement a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of relations; be a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community; actively and deeply integrate into the international community, and contribute to global politics and economics.
Minister Giang applauded the Shangri-La Dialogue and other major global security forums, which he said are creating opportunities for countries to share views, exchange and dialogue; to bond and understand each other better; so as to enhance trust and cooperation in a more practical and effective manner.
 Defense Minister Phan Van Giang meets with Dr. Bastian Giegerich, Director General and Chief Executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) at Shangri-la 2025. Photo: VOV
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On the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, General Phan Van Giang on Saturday had a bilateral meeting with Dr. Bastian Giegerich, Director General and Chief Executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the organizer of the Shangri-La Dialogue.