Malaysian PM affirms consistency in East Sea policies
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on August 10 said that Malaysia has always been consistent in protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and interests in its exclusive economic zone in the East Sea.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his keynote address during the 36th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (36APR) event in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: nst.com.my)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA)🔜 – Malaysian Prime Minister DatukSeri Anwar Ibrahim on August 10 said that Malaysia has always been consistentin protecting its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and interests in its exclusiveeconomic zone in the East Sea.
Speaking at the 36th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (36APR) held inKuala Lumpur, PM Anwar said that Malaysia has always advocated for peaceful andconstructive settlement of all disputes, in line with international law's recognised norms and principles, including the 1982 United Nations Conventionon the Law of the Sea. He emphasised that the militarisation of the maritime region,coupled with the use of grey zone tactics to reinforce claims and stymy thelawful exploitation of resources, is neither peaceful nor constructive. Anwar also said that Malaysia will continue to promote a worldorder that is based on rules and norms. The 36th Asia-Pacific Roundtable was held in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia from August 8-10, by the Malaysian Institute of Strategic andInternational Studies (ISIS) with the theme "An Age of StrategicUncertainty”. Attending the event were high-ranking leaders of countries,Ambassadors of countries in Malaysia, and nearly 500 scholars and researchers.During the three-day event, delegates discussed regional issues such as theEast Sea issue, the Indo-Pacific strategy, the Myanmar situation, and thecompetition between the US and China./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his visiting Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim held talks in Hanoi on July 20, noting with satisfaction the development of the bilateral relations, especially since the establishment of the Strategic partnership in 2015.
Both Vietnam and Malaysia play an important and indispensable role in ASEAN, including in the fields of economy, diplomacy and security, said Collins Chong Yew Keat, an expert on policy and foreign affairs at the University of Malaya, Malaysia.
Since becoming a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995, Vietnam has played an important role in the bloc’s development in all fields as well as in the maintenance of stability and peace in the region, including the East Sea, a Malaysian expert has said.
Twenty-eight years since officially joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995, Vietnam's membership has left a profound mark with her positive contributions to the bloc’s common development, laying the foundation for the establishment of an ASEAN community with political unity, economic integration, and social responsibility sharing.
Vietnam strongly protests to China's inclusion of a part of Hoang Sa (Paracel) in its military exercise in the East Sea and demands that China respect Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel), affirmed Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang at the ministry’s regular press conference on August 3.
Addressing the ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Simon D.I. Soekamo, the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cuba, highlighted the bloc's spirit of friendship and solidarity, and reaffirmed ASEAN's core values of peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue.
Vietnam’s pavilion notably displayed traditional crafts from the centuries-old lacquerware village of Ha Thai and Chu Dau ceramics. The atmosphere was further enriched by delegations wearing their countries’ traditional costumes, including the elegant ao dai and the graceful ao tu than of Vietnamese women.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
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.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his keynote address during the 36th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (36APR) event in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: nst.com.my) 
