Talking to Vietnam News Agency on the sidelines of the 16th Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) in Singapore from June 2-4, Trong said one of the challenges hindering the formation of strong mechanism to deal with international issues is the different perspectives, behaviours and interpretation of international law and regulations among countries.

Another problem is the interest conflict between countries and the international community, he said, adding that some countries event place their own interest above the interest of the community, thus causing difficulties in reaching a common position and responsibility in addressing current problems of the region.

Trong noted that one of the main contents of the dialogue is the maintenance of rule-based regional order, which is also related to the ASEAN and China’s agreement on a framework of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

According to Trong, currently, disputes happen in all sea areas, including the East Sea and East China Sea, due to historical reasons or difference in the interpretation of international law among countries.

However, China and the ASEAN are working hard together to maintain the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and to reach a framework of the (COC).

Trong noted that once introduced, the COC will help strengthen trust and responsibility as well as better respect for the law, becoming a tool for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

He also stressed the important role of major powers and multilateral cooperation in coping with disputes and keeping peace and stability.

The ASEAN has been recognised as a centre, a motivation and a leading force in regional security cooperation, receiving full support of the US, China and other major powers.