Bangkok (VNA), Nov. 18 -- ASEAN defence ministers and their counterparts from China, Japan and the US held informal meetings on November 17, in the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Retreat ( ADMM Retreat ) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono affirmed that Japan supports the central role played by ASEAN in regional cooperation mechanisms, and wants to tap opportunities to further cooperate effectively with the bloc based on the needs of each side.

Japan pledges to help ASEAN improve its capacity, especially in technology, he said, adding that his country will continue to expand cooperation between the two sides on the basis of the upgraded " Vientiane Vision ".

ASEAN defence minister s highlighted ...