ASEAN, China, Japan vow to boost regional transport links
Transport ministers from ASEAN, China and Japan pledged to further cooperation in enhancing transport links in the region, as heard conferences held in Malaysia on November 5.
Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang and his counterparts from ASEAN nations (Source: VNA)
Transport ministers from ASEAN, China and Japan pledged to further cooperation in enhancing transport links in the region, as heard conferences held in Malaysia on November 5 in the framework of the 21 st ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM-21).
The 14 th ASEAN and China Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM+China), co-chaired by Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai and his Chinese counterpart Yang Chuantang, reiterated the commitment of ASEAN and China to strengthening regional transport connection and urged their senior officials to prioritise large projects on railway, road, civil aviation and waterways to facilitate regional trade and investment attraction.
The ministers discussed initiatives to promote ASEAN-China collaboration in transport technology and marine training, and improve workforce’s capacity to meet demand of the regional and global marine development.
They applauded the completion of Singapore-Kunming Rail Link (SKRL) and rail bridges connecting Cambodia and Thailand.
Meanwhile, at the 13rd ASEAN and Japan Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM+ Japan), the ministers welcomed the implementation of key transport projects under the ASEAN-Japan Transport Partnership (AJTP) established in 2003, aiming at promoting regional traffic connection.
They hoped to receive further support from Japan to carry out the Kuala Lumpur Transport Strategic Action Plan for 2016-2025.
The ministers also expressed their delight at the progress of 25 projects during 2014-2015 as well as the operation of the ASEAN- Japan Working Group on Regional Air Service Arrangement (AJWG-RASA).
The conference adopted the ASEAN-Japan working programme for the 2015-2016 period to boost transport quality under the Pakse Action plan.
The 15 th ATM+ China and 14 th ATM+ Japan are scheduled to be held in the Philippines next year.-VNA
The two-day 15 th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting (ATM 15), concluded in Hanoi on Dec. 11, agreed to enhance transport linkage between regional countries thus strengthening the ASEAN community by 2015.
Vietnam and China have taken measures to strengthen economic and trade cooperation and transportation connections, said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang and his counterparts from ASEAN nations (Source: VNA)
