The Jakarta Forum on ASEAN-China Relations kicked off in Indonesia on November 1, with representatives from their governments, business and social organisations taking part.
Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The Jakarta♍ Forum on ASEAN-China Relations kicked off in Indonesia on November 1, with representatives from their governments, business and social organisations taking part.
In her opening speech, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi underscored the importance of people-to-people relations and dialogues in fostering an ASEAN-China Community with a shared future.
She noted that ASEAN and China have planned exchanges and cooperation across 12 key areas, including culture, education, healthcare, sports, youth engagement, media, research groups and arts. Both sides agreed to extend the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges through 2025.
They reaffirmed their support for the ASEAN-China Centre and the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund, aligning with this year’s theme of bridging and bonding by connectivity, she said.
Meanwhile, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said over the past 33 years, ASEAN-China relations have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, one of the bloc’s most robust, dynamic and significant partnerships.
The forum featured two panel discussions on the responsibilities and contributions of businesses in promoting ASEAN-China connectivity, as well as achievements and future collaboration to strengthen ASEAN-China people-to-people ties.
The discussions are expected to foster people-to-people exchanges, infrastructure connectivity, institutional linkages, and promote regional socio-economic development./.
The 14th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference, themed "Fostering Cooperation on Combating Financial Crimes", took place in Singapore on October 29.
Leaders of ASEAN and China reviewed and determined the direction for implementing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to enhance connectivity and self-resilience, for the mutual interests of the ASEAN Community and China at their 27th summit held on October 10 in Vientiane, Laos.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced on October 10 that significant progress has been made in the negotiations for the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
