Hanoi (VNA) – Leaders of 10 ASEAN Member States and their partnersof China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and India discussed measures toboost post-pandemic economic recovery and ensure global supply chains duringseparated ASEAN Plus One summits held online within the framework of the 37th ASEAN Summit on November 12.

Addressing the 23rd ASEAN-China Summit,Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on both sides to immediately resumeeconomic cooperation, harmonise policies and ensure global supply chains byremoving trade barriers.

He suggested developing the digital economy and intensifyingcollaboration in ensuring COVID-19 drug and vaccine demand in the region.

While attending the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit, theIndonesian leader also proposed the bloc and Japan work together to accelerateeconomic recovery.

As the war on the COVID-19 pandemic is still far from over,countries must work hard and work together to drive the economy withoutignoring health protocols, he stressed.

ASEAN and Japan can work together to increase strategictrust by creating a conducive situation in the region because securitystability is a prerequisite for the movement of the economy, he added.

Widodo showed his optimism about the ASEAN-RoK strategicpartnership when addressing the 21st ASEAN-RoK Summit.

He emphasised regional economic recovery is essential tobring about a new hope for the community and businesses, adding that one of themain efforts to gain the hope is regional economic integration through theRegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-RoK Free TradeAgreement.

Attending the 17th ASEAN-India Summit, theIndonesian President believed ASEAN and India could forge cooperation invarious fields to address a wide range of challenges that may lie ahead.

As one of the countries with a large and rapidly growingdigital economy ecosystem, India can expand cooperation with ASEAN memberstates, which are also developing their digital economy potential, hesuggested.


Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha proposedASEAN and China join hands in strengthening public health, and step upcooperation in poverty reduction and disaster prevention and control to achieveUnited Nations sustainable development goals, while attending the ASEAN-ChinaSummit.

He stressed the need to maintain peace, stability andprosperity in the region, and boost mutual strategic trust through dialogues.

At the ASEAN-Japan Summit, he said that the COVID-19pandemic is a chance for both sides to promote their strategic partnership.

He also made proposals to ensure safe region, prosperouseconomy and sustainable society.

Addressing the ASEAN-RoK Summit, the Thai leader suggestedboth sides step up collaboration in public health and economic recovery.

He stressed that peace and stability is a firm foundationfor prosperity and sustainable development. Thailand supported the RoK’sefforts to promote peace in the Korean Peninsula and doped that related partieswill resume peaceful dialogues shortly.

At the 21st ASEAN-RoK Summit, RoK President MoonJae-in introduced the New Southern Policy Plus strategy, an advanced version ofhis trademark diplomatic strategy to intensify cooperation with Southeast Asiaon various fronts.

The strategy contains new and actionable measures focusingon seven key areas of cooperation, including comprehensive health and medicalcooperation, he said, hoping that both sides will enjoy greater prosperitytogether through the strategy.

Speaking at the ASEAN-India Summit, Indian Prime MinisterNarendra Modi affirmed that ASEAN is always an important part in India’sexternal strategies.

India is willing to work with ASEAN member states for theEast Sea of peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety andfreedom, Modi said.

He affirmed support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea,especially the principles of refraining from the  use of force and threat to use force in thesettlement of disputes, non-militarisation and respect for international law./.