ASEAN-China SOM on implementation of DOC held in Quang Ninh
The 20th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea (SOM-DOC) was held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on May 17 after nearly two years of hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quang Ninh (VNA) – The 20th𒀰 ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementationof the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea (SOM-DOC)was held in the northern province of Quang Ninh on May 17 after nearly twoyears of hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened a meeting to coordinate their stances. Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, led aVietnamese delegation to the meetings.
Delegates to the 20th SOM-DOC. (Photo: VNA)
The 20th SOM-DOC was co-chaired by Myanmar, coordinator ofASEAN-China ties, and China. Speakingat the event, Ho stressed that as the East Sea is a crucial maritimeroute of the world, hence maintaining and promoting peace, stability, security,safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in this sea is not only theshared interest and responsibility of ASEAN and China but also reflects theirresponsibility towards the international community. Given the complex situation and ongoing unilateral actionsthat violate international law in the East Sea, the ambassador suggested that countries should combine "words with deeds" by translating politicalcommitments into specific and appropriate actions in the field.
In such spirit, he highlighted the need to use internationallaw and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a “lodestar”for activities in the East Sea.
While striving to achieve a Code of Conduct inthe East Sea (COC) that is practical, effective and conformable withinternational law and the 1982 UNCLOS, and supported by th♚e international community, Ho said countries must seriously and fully abide by all the provisions of the DOC. Theseefforts will contribute to creating a favourable environment for COCnegotiations, he added.
Delegates attending the event spoke highly of positive results inthe DOC implementation over the past time. They urged ASEAN and China toseriously, fully and effectively observe all the provisions of the DOC. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace,stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the EastSea while respecting principles such as exercising self-restraint, refrainingfrom the use or threat to use force, and peacefully settling disputes in linewith international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. The 20th SOM-DOC acknowledged progress in the COC negotiationsand discussed orientations to the process carried out by the Joint WorkingGroup on the DOC (JWG DOC). The countries emphasised the need to achieve an effective and practical COC that is conformable with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, contributingto trust building and more efficient management of incidents in the East Sea. The participants agreed to hold the 21st SOM-DOC in China in the fourth quarter of 2023./.
Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, on March 7-8 led a delegation to attend the 35th ASEAN-US Dialogue, the 25th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting (AISOM), the ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials’ Meeting (with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) and SOM East Asia Summit (with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand).
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to carry out practical marine cooperation projects and jointly uphold peace and stability in the East Sea, Xinhua News Agency reported, citing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin as saying on March 14.
Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, joined his counterparts from other regional countries in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on May 8 to discuss preparations for the 42nd Summit of the bloc.
Leaders of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the East Sea.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
The General Secretary underlined the resolve to achieve a growth rate of at least 8% in 2025, laying the groundwork for double-digit growth in the following period. He noted that these are mandatory targets, with no alternative path to success.
Restructuring and improving the quality of officials, civil servants, and public employees is no longer a choice, but an urgent requirement to transition from administrative management to governance in service of the people.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese people living there to proactively prepare and seek ways to leave the country via land border crossings, especially toward Jordan or Egypt, when security and safety conditions allow.
Ambassador Vu Ho speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
Delegates to the 20th SOM-DOC. (Photo: VNA) 
