Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) on April 14 on the COVID-19 response, following the success of the Special ASEAN Summit on the same issue.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)♚ – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucchaired the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit with China, Japan and the Republic ofKorea (RoK) on April 14 on the COVID-19 response, following the success of the Special ASEAN Summit on the same issue.
Attending the event were leaders of ASEANmember states, RoK President Moon Jae-in, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, JapanesePM Shinzo Abe and General Director of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In his opening speech, PM Phuc said regionaland global countries are facing unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19which has spread to over 200 countries and territories, seriously hurtingsocio-economic life in many nations, including ASEAN+3. In the spirit of “Cohesive and Responsive”,the ASEAN Community is working closely with partners and international communityto contain the pandemic, he said, adding that timely and drastic efforts bygovernments of ASEAN countries and China, Japan and the RoK to curb theepidemic spread have achieved initial but encouraging results. The PM affirmed that ASEAN+3 countries enjoy the tradition of close cooperation, effectivelycoping with economic challenges, disasters and epidemics, including SARS in2003. In face of the seriousnessof COVID-19 now, he highlighted the need to uphold the tradition and enhance solidarity to jointly overcome these difficult times. He expressed his belief that the summit will reachimportant outcomes, affirming the highest determination to effectively cope withand promptly drive back the epidemic, restore socio-economic stability, andensure peaceful lives of the people, in which China, Japan and the RoK playimportant roles. Participants are expected to outline specificmeasures to further boost collaboration in the fight against the pandemic whileensuring dynamic and sustainable regional development for a long run. As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam issued the Chair’sStatement on ASEAN response to COVID-19, which alerted the risk of the pandemicand affirmed the determination to foster regional and global joint work in the fight.Vietnam and the bloc also held a number of meetings with partners such as China, the European Union, the USand international organisations to discuss the concern. Since the outset of the pandemic, Vietnam andASEAN made swift response and proved the capacity of policy and action coordinationamong member states./.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of ASEAN 2020, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 in Hanoi on April 14 morning.
Head of the Foreign Ministry’s ASEAN Department Vu Ho has said the Special ASEAN Summit and Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 Response, to be held online for the first time on April 14, will enable ASEAN leaders to affirm their determination to build a cohesive and responsive community.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on April 14 affirmed that his country highly values the leadership by Vietnam during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020.
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in on April 14 stressed the importance of close international coordination on both antivirus quarantine and the economy in the face of a shift in global order.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
