Vietnam, New Zealand hold third defence policy dialogue
Vietnam and New Zealand have agreed to outline a cooperation plan for the next three years with a view to elevating the defence collaboration to a new high, making it on par with the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and New Zealand haveagreed to outline a cooperation plan for the next three years with a view toelevating the defence collaboration to a new high, making it on par with thestrategic partnership between the two nations.
The agreement was made at the third Vietnam-New Zealand defence policy dialogueheld via video conference on December 2. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of DefenceSenior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and Secretary of Defence and ChiefExecutive of the Ministry of Defence of New Zealand Andrew Bridgman co-chairedthe event.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed their pleasure with the two nationscelebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and theupgrade of the ties to the strategic partnership in 2020. They described thoseas favourable conditions to promote defence cooperation in the fields ofdialogue, consultation, delegation exchange, training, intelligence, UN peacekeeping activities, maritime security, and COVID-19 pandemic prevention andcontrol.
They agreed to study the organisation of annual meetings at ministerial levelon the occasion of official visits and on the sidelines of multilateral eventsfrom next year.
Regarding multilateral cooperation, Chien highlighted outcomes of themultilateral defence activities hosted by Vietnam in the role as the ASEANChair and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, thereby affirming Vietnam’sefforts in maintaining and promoting cooperation momentum within the frameworkof the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM Plus for mutual benefitsof ASEAN and its partners.
Meanwhile, Andrew laid stress on New Zealand’s support for the centre role ofASEAN, and spoke highly of Vietnam’s initiatives for the region in the pasttime.
Touching on regional and international issues of mutual interest, both sideswere unanimous about the common perception on the principle of respectinginternational law, the settlement of disputes via peaceful means, and no use offorce or threat to use force.
Chien took the occasion to thank New Zealand’s defence ministry for its timelysupport for Vietnam in recent storms and floods.
He said he respected the New Zealand government’s assistance worth 117,000 USDfor Vietnam to overcome consequences of natural disasters./.
Trade between Vietnam and New Zealand tripled over the last decade, from 320 million USD in 2009 to over 1 billion USD in 2018, and the figure is expected to hit 1.7 billion USD this year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
New Zealand highly evaluated Vietnam’s role as Chair of ASEAN 2020, especially amid the challenging and unusual circumstances, said Alison Mann, New Zealand's Senior Official for APEC, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and SEAN.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 17 sent a congratulatory message to his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern over the victory of the New Zealand Labour Party and PM Ardern herself in the general election held on the same day.
The seventh meeting of the Joint Trade and Economic Commission (JTEC) between Vietnam and New Zealand was held online on October 23, co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh and New Zealand’s Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic Vangelis Vitalis.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 14 called on New Zealand to open its door wider for goods and agricultural products of ASEAN countries as the sides have substantial potential for cooperation.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien (Photo: VNA) 
