Vietnam attends RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting in China
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 8th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting which took place in Beijing, China, on August 3.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh (back row, fourth from left) and other delegates at the 8th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, China, on August 3 (Photo: VNA)
Beijing (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanhled a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 8th Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Pa🧜rtnership (RCEP) Intersessional Ministerial Meeting which took place in Beijing,China, on August 3.
The Vietnamese delegation made several proposals to solve outstanding difficulties in negotiations towards the target of completing negotiations bythe end of this year.
Participants agreed to strive for the completion of negotiations on market opening and all the most important content of the deal's wording by the end of 2019 while intensifying efforts towards the signing of the deal in 2020 in Vietnamwhen it assumes the role as the ASEAN Chair.
At the meeting, ministers stressed that trade remains an effectivetool to generate jobs and income, and foster productivity, technologydevelopment, and sustainable and inclusive growth.
The RCEP region, which accounts for 47.4 percent of the worldpopulation, 29.1 percent of global trade and 32.5 percent of investment flows,plays an important role in regional trade and backs an open, inclusive andrule-based trade system.
Delegates welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on Appendixes onTelecoms, Financial and Professional Services, while acknowledging positiveprogress in negotiations of remaining issues.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Vietnamese delegation heldbilateral meetings with officials from the Republic of Korea, Japan andAustralia to discuss directions to solve bottlenecks in negotiations and boostbilateral cooperation.
Initiated in 2012, RCEP is a free trade agreement involving 10 ASEANmember countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam; and the ASEAN's six dialogue partners - China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India and the Republic ofKorea.-VNA
Representatives from countries in the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Melbourne, Australia on June 27 for negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Opportunities for Australian firms to invest in Vietnam have never been better than now when the Southeast Asian economy is growing rapidly, said participants at a Vietnam-Australia business dialogue held in Sydney on July 22.
Vietnam will actively work with other ASEAN member states to expand and deepen practical and effective cooperative relations between the bloc and its partners in different fields, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi has expressed his optimism over the likelihood that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between 10 ASEAN member countries and six partners will be finalised by the end of the year.
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.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço met with the press right after concluding their talks and witnessing the signing of seven cooperation agreements between the two countries in Luanda on August 7.
State President Luong Cuong stressed the fraternal ties between Vietnam and Angola as a shared invaluable asset. It serves as a solid foundation for both countries to enter a new phase of development, further foster political trust and mutual support between the two Parties and States, and deepen the solidarity and mutual understanding between their people.
At the dialogue, both sides expressed satisfaction with the intensive and extensive development of bilateral relationship since it was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.
The robust collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Japan’s National Diet, particularly between the two nations’ parliamentary friendship groups, is a hallmark of bilateral relations, contributing to deepening the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long received British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew in Hanoi on August 7, affirming education as a standout pillar in the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership.