US senators congratulate Vietnam on assuming ASEAN Chairmanship
Some US senators on January 15 congratulated Vietnam on assuming the Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an important multilateral organisation for advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Delegates to the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials' Meeting Plus Working Group pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)
Washington DC (VNA) – Some US senators on January 15 congratulated Vietnam on assuming the Chairmanship ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an important multilateralorganisation for advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The senators comprise Jim Risch and Cory Gardner from theRepublican Party, Bob Menendez from the Democratic Party, who is also Chairmanand a ranking member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, and Ed Markey, also from the Democratic Party, Chairmanand a ranking member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, andInternational Cybersecurity Policy.
In a press statement issued on the day, they alsothanked Thailand for its effective stewardship in 2019.
“We look forward to a fruitful year ofcollaboration that leads to concrete progress on the most critical issues forASEAN members and the entire Indo-Pacific region. The time is ripe to realisethe ASEAN Economic Community, build capacity in the industries of the future,and posture ASEAN as a driver of regional economic growth. ASEAN members,including Vietnam, have demonstrated a willingness to stand up for freedom ofnavigation and international law in the East Sea,” they said.
They expressed hope that Vietnam will exercisethis type of leadership and cooperating with its ASEAN partners on these issuesin the coming year, especially as ASEAN and China negotiate a Code of Conductin the East Sea (COC).
ASEAN is an important partner to the US, thesenators said, stressing their commitments to deepening this relationship,starting with the US-ASEAN Special Summit.
The senators said they look forward tosupporting the many promising US-ASEAN initiatives underway, including thoseauthorised by the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act./.
Advancing ASEAN’s contribution to maintaining regional peace, security and stability has been identified as one of five key priorities for Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, wrote Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh in an article. Below is a translation of the article.
The 16th Meeting of the ASEAN Trade Facilitation Joint Consultative Committee (ATF-JCC) was recently held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in Hanoi.
The Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) held a roundtable discussion with press agencies on January 15 to share updated information about ASEAN and Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
Delegates to the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials' Meeting Plus Working Group pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA) 
