Post by : Minna

Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Nguyễn Mạnh Cường, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani, co-chaired the third Vietnam–Malaysia Senior Officials’ Strategic Dialogue in Hanoi on Thursday.

The meeting came at a crucial time, following the historic elevation of Vietnam–Malaysia relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Party General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to Malaysia in November 2024. Deputy Minister Cường welcomed the dialogue, highlighting that it reflected both countries’ strong efforts to put the new partnership into action and follow through on agreements reached by top leaders. The timing was significant, coinciding with Malaysia’s 68th National Day and Vietnam’s 80th August Revolution and National Day celebrations.

Reviewing Bilateral Cooperation

During the dialogue, both sides reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation across multiple areas. They discussed strategies for implementing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, taking into account agreements made by high-level leaders. Both countries were pleased with the progress made under the 2021–25 Action Programme, noting that cooperation had deepened and become more effective in politics, economy, trade, investment, defense, security, labor, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Deputy Secretary-General Dato’ Ghani emphasized the success of economic, trade, and investment collaboration. Malaysia continues to be Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth globally. It is also among the top ten foreign investors in Vietnam. Bilateral trade has steadily grown, nearing the $18 billion target, with the trade balance improving over time.

Future Cooperation Areas

Looking ahead, both countries pledged to work closely on their next Action Programme for 2026–30. They plan to focus on emerging areas such as digital transformation, innovation, artificial intelligence, technology, agriculture, Halal products, energy, and power transmission. Both sides agreed to speed up the signing of cooperation agreements in these fields to create a strong legal framework for joint activities.

Regional and International Issues

The dialogue also covered regional and global developments. Both sides agreed that, in today’s fast-changing and challenging strategic environment, countries must diversify partnerships and promote sustainable economic recovery and green growth. They stressed the importance of ASEAN’s leadership in strengthening the region’s resilience and shaping its strategic architecture.

South China Sea Cooperation

Vietnam and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to building the East Sea (South China Sea) as a place of peace, cooperation, and development. They agreed to work together with ASEAN to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and support negotiations for a practical and effective Code of Conduct (COC). Both countries also confirmed their support for each other in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

Deputy Minister Cường urged Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and country coordinator for ASEAN–China dialogue from 2024–27, to show strong leadership in upholding international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and contribute positively to the COC negotiations.

Strengthening People-to-People and Cultural Ties

The meeting also highlighted the importance of fostering people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation. Both countries agreed to continue developing educational programs, tourism links, and labor cooperation. These efforts aim to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Vietnam and Malaysia.

The third Vietnam–Malaysia Senior Officials’ Strategic Dialogue underlined the growing importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. With strengthened economic ties, expanded cooperation in emerging fields, and a shared commitment to regional peace and development, both nations aim to build a more resilient, prosperous, and cooperative future.

Vietnam Malaysia partnership, bilateral cooperation, strategic dialogue