The Gulf of Tonkin abuts both Vietnam and China and covers an area of 126,250 square kilometres. It is of great importance to both countries’ security and national defence as well as economic development, thanks to its major fisheries resources and oil and gas reserves. Both Vietnam and China attach importance to the management and exploration of the area.
Vietnam and Singapore on December 15 discussed specific measures to enhance their bilateral ties, including the enhancement of political and diplomatic links by increasing visits and meetings at all levels and vial all channels and mechanisms of bilateral cooperation.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) agreed to elevate their relationship to “Strategic Partnership” during the 23rd ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) held on December 1 via videoconference.
The 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings took place virtually from November 12-15. ASEAN leaders agreed to issue the Chairman's Statement of the 37th ASEAN Summit at the end of the event.
Many countries expressed their concern over the situation in the East Sea and affirmed a need to maintain sustainable peace and long-term stability in the important waters, during the 37th ASEAN Summit and the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS), Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang has said.
The disputes in the East Sea (South China Sea) need to be resolved by the concerned parties, with cooperation of the international community as well as the region, said a Vietnamese expert.
The 12th South China Sea International Conference, with the theme “Maintaining Peace and Cooperation through a Time of Turbulence”, kicked off on November 16 in both the in-person and online formats.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on November 10 to discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperation ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit.
International co-operation at sea, manifested by the co-ordination of actions among countries at bilateral, regional and global levels, is indispensable to protect this essential living source and helps harmonise maritime activities and address trans-boundary challenges, a senior official said on November 5.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held phone talks with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on September 25 to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues of mutual concern on the occasion of the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as part of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM 53) and Related Meetings, has adopted several important documents, including the ARF Hanoi Plan of Action II, setting out cooperation priorities and directions for ARF activities in the 2020-2025 period.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed bilateral defence ties and regional tensions over China’s claim that it owns most of the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), the US Department of State said in a readout of the conversation on August 3.
Vietnam and New Zealand issued a joint statement on the countries' strategic partnership on the occasion of the high-level talks between their Prime Ministers and the partnership elevation.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has called all parties to respect international laws in response to the recent escalating tensions in the East Sea.
Deputy Prime Miniter and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chaired the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM), the 21st ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), and the 26th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, which were held online in Hanoi on June 24.
In late 2019 and early 2020 China announced its “Four-Sha” sovereignty claims over the East Sea in two diplomatic notes sent to the UN Secretary-General, with the aim of replacing the so-called “nine-dash line” that had been previously rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on April 23 criticised recent actions of China in the East Sea, including its announcement of the establishment of “Xisha district” (Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago) and “Nansha district” (Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago) within the so-called “Sansha city,” and China coast guard vessel's sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat.
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