International scientific conference "International Relations in a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Region"

The Indo-Pacific is defined in the 2017 U.S. National Security Strategy as “the region stretching from the west of India to the west coast of the United States.” The Indo-Pacific concept isn't entirely new, but it only began to attract significant attention when President Donald Trump reiterated it in his speech on the sidelines of APEC 2017. The change in terminology from “Asia-Pacific” to “Indo-Pacific” in the U.S. strategy implies expanding the region from one focused solely on “East Asia and the Western Pacific” to one encompassing Indian Ocean coastal countries, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. This shift marks a pivot in the focus of U.S. foreign policy in Asia. It reflects the US's growing concern about the rise of India (through its Look East policy), the assertive attitude and expanding influence of China (including Africa), and the strong growth of Southeast Asian economies.

The Indo-Pacific region itself has emerged as an extremely important element on the world political map. This region encompasses both the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, possessing 40% of the world's land area, 41% of its population, 61% of its GDP, and 47% of its total global trade. Strategically, it brings together close allies of the United States such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, as well as major competitors like China and India. Economically, it houses some of the world's most powerful economies, largest socio-economic organizations, and most important shipping lanes, making it a global trade hub. In terms of security and politics, it is a hotbed of intertwined competition and cooperation, most notably the US-China rivalry for influence, while countries in the region are actively modernizing and strengthening their defense capabilities.

In his opening remarks, Professor Pham Quang Minh emphasized the timeliness and novelty of the conference topic in the context of maritime tensions, such as those in the South China Sea.

Therefore, the goal of building an Indo-Pacific region that respects independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; ensures fair, equal, and free trade among all countries in the region; and promotes existing cooperation mechanisms has been outlined by the United States in its strategy. This strategy also affects other countries in the region, especially small and medium-sized countries in the power struggle among major powers. The seminar "International Relations in a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Region" was organized to share perspectives and clarify the implications of this US strategy for countries and organizations in the region. The opinions and viewpoints shared at the seminar will contribute to the policy-making process of countries in building and maintaining an Indo-Pacific region as expected.

Mr. Noah Zaring (Political Counselor, U.S. Embassy in Vietnam) presented the content and implementation plan of the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy based on three pillars: strategic, economic, and governance.

The workshop consisted of two sessions:

Session 1, “A Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy: Perspectives from QUAD Countries,” included presentations such as: “The US Indo-Pacific Strategy and its Commitment to Vietnam” (Mr. Noah Zaring – Political Counselor, US Embassy in Vietnam); “Australia’s Perspectives on Indo-Pacific Security: A Crossroads of Values ​​and Strategies”; “A Free and Open Indo-Pacific: A Perspective from Japan” (Prof. Go Ito – Meiji University); “A Free and Open Indo-Pacific: A Perspective from India” (Prof. Rahul Mishra – University of Malaya); “India’s Role in the New US Security Architecture in the Indo-Pacific Region” (Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh & Ms. Ho Ngoc Diem Thanh – University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi). “Economic Factors in the US Indo-Pacific Strategy under President Trump” (Mr. Nguyen Hung Son, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam); “Japan and the Indo-Pacific Strategy: Interests, Perspectives and Policies” (Dr. Pham Thi Yen, University of Foreign Languages ​​and Information Technology, Ho Chi Minh City).

The delegates took a commemorative photo.

Session 2, “The Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy: Implications for Asia,” featured presentations including: “ASEAN's Centrality in the Indo-Pacific Security Architecture” (Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai – Queensland University of Technology); “Southeast Asia in the US’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy” (Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy - University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi); “The Philippines’ Perception of the Quad, the Indo-Pacific, and the Alliance System” (Dr. Charmaine Willoughby, De La Salle University – Philippines); “The Indo-Pacific Strategy and the Competition for Maritime Dominance Between China and India” (Dr. Quach Thi Hue, National Political Academy of Ho Chi Minh City); and “The US’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy and its Impact on Vietnam’s National Security” (Le The Lam, National Political Academy of Ho Chi Minh City).