Vietnam's PM Pham Minh Chinh attends ASEAN+3, ASEAN-S.Korea summits

These events are part of the ongoing 47th ASEAN Summit and related summits held from Sunday to Tuesday in the Malaysian capital.

Strengthening ASEAN+3 cooperation

Joining the 28th ASEAN+3 Summit with leaders of other ASEAN member states, China, Japan, and South Korea, PM Chinh highlighted the strategic importance of the ASEAN+3 framework amid global geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

He suggested that ASEAN+3 countries boost economic, trade, and investment collaboration, focusing on digital and green transformation.

He called for effectively implementing the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 3.0, swiftly upgrading FTAs with Japan and South Korea, investing in digital infrastructure and data centers, and promoting digital trade.

The Vietnamese government leader underlined the need to strengthen regional resilience and energy security, including joint research on emergency energy reserves and assistance from East Asian partners for ASEAN members interested in developing nuclear energy.

He also proposed connecting ASEAN+3 financial centers to attract green finance.

He emphasized the importance of solidarity and close coordination to maintain a peaceful, secure, and stable environment for development

He stressed that whether dealing with issues on the Korean Peninsula, the East Vietnam Sea, or elsewhere, nations must engage in honest dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful dispute resolution.

At the end of the summit, the leaders of ASEAN+3 nations adopted a declaration on enhancing regional economic and financial cooperation.

Meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang

Later that morning, PM Chinh met with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang.

Both leaders praised the positive and comprehensive progress in Vietnam-China relations.

Chinh underscored the importance of railway connectivity, urging both sides to prioritize cooperation under the Vietnam-China Railway Joint Cooperation Committee

The two discussed tariff policy coordination, trade balance measures, and expanding smart border gate models and cross-border economic cooperation zones.

Premier Li expressed the Chinese State Council's readiness to work with the Vietnamese government to translate high-level consensus into tangible outcomes, particularly in high-quality investment and infrastructure connectivity.

The two sides also exchanged views candidly on maritime issues, reaffirming their commitment to managing differences in line with high-level agreements to help maintain global and regional peace, stability, and development.

Deepening ASEAN-Korea relations

PM Chinh and other ASEAN leaders joined South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the 26th ASEAN-South Korea Summit.

Leaders said ASEAN-South Korea relations have grown significantly following the elevation of ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.

ASEAN and South Korea agreed to implement the 2026-30 Action Plan and upgrade the ASEAN-Korea FTA in 2026, incorporating new areas such as green economy, digital economy, and supply chain resilience.

President Lee reaffirmed the country’s strong support for ASEAN centrality, and proposed cooperation along three pillars: “Dream and hope, growth and innovation, peace and stability.”

Addressing the summit, PM Chinh outlined three orientations for the partnership between the bloc and South Korea.

He underlined the importance of promoting green, digital, and circular economic links; starting ASEAN-Korea FTA upgrade talks; and expanding cooperation into new areas such as green economy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and supply chains.

He suggested both sides enhance cultural, educational, and people-to-people exchanges; foster the creative and cultural industries; expand talent training programs and vocational education; and create more opportunities for ASEAN citizens to study and work in South Korea.

The Vietnamese leader added that ASEAN and South Korea need to jointly contribute to peace and stability in the region, including turning the East Vietnam Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for the South Korean government’s efforts to resume inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and its readiness to actively participate in this process to build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa

PM Chinh also met European Council President Antonio Costa, emphasizing Vietnam’s commitment to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and urging the European Commission to send an inspection team soon to help remove the ‘yellow card’ warning.

He proposed upgrading Vietnam-European Union relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthening high-level exchanges, and making science, technology, and innovation a central pillar of cooperation.

President Costa welcomed Vietnam’s efforts, confirmed the EU’s interest in deepening cooperation, and said he looked forward to visiting Vietnam in the near future.