Jakarta (VNA) – The keynote address delivered by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore continues to attract attention from international media and observers, including those of Indonesia.
Many have commended his messages highlighting the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as the need for countries to engage in dialogue and cooperation to maintain peace and stability amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Jakarta, Indonesia’s Antara News Agency and Tempo on May 30 published articles citing the Vietnamese leader’s view that the Asia-Pacific region shares a common interest in achieving peace, connectivity, and development, and boasts strong experience in multi-layered cooperation.
ASEAN has the motivation and determination to ensure that competition does not turn into confrontation, connectivity routes do not become dividing lines, and the security of one country does not become a source of insecurity for another, he said.
The regional bloc centrality cannot be underestimated and will not be self-sustaining, he continued, stressing that it can only be maintained through unity, strategic autonomy, and the ability to shape a common agenda.
He added that the Southeast Asian region welcomes interactions that are transparent, responsible and respectful of international law; support ASEAN centrality; and contribute to the reduction of tensions.
Observers noted that these remarks reflect Vietnam’s consistent policy of promoting multilateralism, upholding ASEAN’s role, and emphasising the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing regional and global security challenges.
Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, the messages of ASEAN unity, strategic autonomy, and trust-building have been widely regarded as timely and practical. They also underscore Vietnam’s increasingly active role in regional and international affairs./.
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When asked whether Vietnam would adjust its growth target, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam firmly stated that Vietnam would not revise the target downward. The country remains committed not only to its 2026 growth objective but also to sustaining that growth trajectory in the years ahead, as this is essential for achieving its development milestones.
