ASEAN, Chinese senior officials hold 24th consultation in Singapore

Senior officials of the ASEAN countries and China held their 24th consultation (ACSOC-24) in Singapore on June 8 to review bilateral relations and discuss measures to reinforce the cooperation and strategic partnership between ASEAN and China.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung led a Vietnamese delegation to the consultation, an annual event at the deputy foreign ministerial level within the framework of ASEAN-China dialogue relations.

The countries applauded the outcomes of the two sides’ strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation, particularly in implementing the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2016-2020. China has continually been the top trade partner of ASEAN over the last nine years and the fourth biggest FDI investor in the bloc.

China affirmed that it attaches importance to cooperation with ASEAN, stressing its support for the grouping’s central role in the regional architecture. The country wants ASEAN to develop dynamically and pledges to continue assisting the bloc in building its community, boost connectivity, and narrow development gap.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of the Vietnamese delegation at the 24th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Consultation in Singapore on June 8
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of the Vietnamese delegation at the 24th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Consultation in Singapore on June 8

Meanwhile, ASEAN officials emphasised the importance of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership to regional peace, stability and prosperity. They said their countries welcome activities marking the 15th founding anniversary of this strategic partnership, including a commemorative summit in late 2018.

The two sides said they will further consolidate and develop the strategic partnership on the basis of mutual benefits, and enhance understanding and trust. They agreed to gather resources to effectively implement the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2016-2020, soon complete the ratification of the protocol on upgrading the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement, and facilitate trade and investment so as to boost bilateral trade to US$1 trillion and investment to US$150 billion by 2020.

ASEAN and China will continue expanding cooperation to new fields like digital economy, e-commerce, digital connectivity, and smart city building. They will also step up the exchange of people, youth and scholars so as to raise two-way tourist arrivals to 30 million by 2020. Cooperation will also be strengthened to solve non-traditional and trans-national security problems like cyber-crime, climate change, epidemics, and disaster management, and increase coordination at international and regional multilateral forums.

At the ACSOC-24, officials exchanged views on the regional and world situation, including the Korean Peninsula situation and emerging challenges such as cyber security, terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, and disaster aid.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the participating countries underlined the significance of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters. ASEAN called on relevant parties to exercise restraint, not complicate the situation or raise tension, and resolve disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

The countries agreed on the need to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea and soon achieve a meaningful and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy FM Nguyen Quoc Dung highly valued China’s commitment to supporting ASEAN’s central role and helping the bloc to build its community, enhance connectivity and narrow development gap.

He urged both sides to work closely together to implement their leaders’ decisions and actively realise the ASEAN-China Plan of Action 2016-2020 with concrete and practical cooperation projects. 

He also welcomed their active preparation for the activities marking 15 years of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership, asking for close coordination to ensure the success of the commemorative summit in late 2018.

Talking about the East Sea situation, Dung also voiced concerns about the recent happenings in the waters. He underscored the importance of exercising restraint, avoiding actions to complicate the situation, promoting dialogue and cooperation, and peacefully settling disputes on the basis on international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. He also called for full implementation of the DOC and creation of a favourable environment for the COC negotiation.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.