ABSTRACT
Entering the second decade of the twenty-first century, the world is now facing several challenges, including a global financial crisis; climate change; the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles; a rapid military power build-up; territorial and sovereign disputes; human rights; and terrorism. Thus, sustainable development and ensuring security have become top priorities. All members of the world community depend on each other more and more. Because of the global integration process and peaceful movements of people between countries, national security cannot be separated from common development and security issues. In other words, common development and security help boost national development and security, and vice versa. This is also true for the South China Sea region and Vietnam.
