Assoc. Prof. and Dr Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh, Director of the East Sea Institute under the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam (second) at the 13th annual conference on the East Sea in Washington held by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). — Photo vov.vn

WASHINGTON — A Vietnamese delegation attended the 13th annual conference on the East Sea held by the Washington DC-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Thursday (Việt Nam time).

The delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. and Dr Nguyễn Thị Lan Anh, Director of the East Sea Institute under the Diplomatic Academy of Việt Nam.

The hybrid conference saw the participation of policymakers and officials from the US departments of state and defence, along with experts and scholars from the US, India, Japan, Việt Nam, and the Philippines. They included Congresswoman Jennifer Kiggans, a member of the US House of Representatives’ Armed Services Committee, and US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink.

It was an occasion for participants to discuss and analyse developments in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) region over the past years and make forecasts for the future. They looked into the recent East Sea situation, new points on legal affairs and management of disputes in the waters, and the role of external entities such as the Quad group, the AUKUS alliance (Australia, the UK, and the US), and Europe.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Anh said that, like at previous conferences, Việt Nam's presence in the event aimed to express its viewpoints and stance on the East Sea issue, clarify the just nature and legal basis of Việt Nam’s claims in the East Sea, and show the country’s constructive attitude of being ready to peacefully resolve disputes in the waters to help maintain regional peace and stability. — VNS