Beijing (VNA) – The Belt and RoadForum for ꦏInternational Cooperation open✤ed in Beijing, China on May 14.
The event was attended by high-level leadersfrom 29 nations, the United Nations Secretary General, the President of theWorld Bank (WB), the Director General of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Vietnamese delegation was headed byPresident Tran Dai Quang.
The two-day forum, under the theme “Belt andRoad: Cooperation for Common Prosperity” will have the Leader Roundtable,and high-level dialogues among ministers, enterprises and scholars.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh is scheduledto join the discussion about trade connectivity; Minister of Planning andInvestment Nguyen Chi Dung will attend the talks on policy connectivity; andPresident of the Vietnam – China Friendship Association Nguyen Xuan Thang will participatein the dialogue on people-to-people exchanges.
Addressing the opening ceremony, ChinesePresident Xi Jinping said China will pour an additional 100 billion CNY (14.5billion USD) into the Belt and Road initiative.
According to the National Development and ReformCommission of China, the country’s investment in projects related to theinitiative has totaled 60 billion USD since 2013. Most of China’s upcomingoverseas investment will go to the initiative’s member nations.
Once completion, the Belt and Road Initiative isexpected to create a large economic and trade network, covering a region with4.4 billion people, the combined GDP of 21 trillion USD.
The forum will close on May 15 with the releaseof a Joint Statement of the Leader Roundtable.-VNA
Stronger cooperation in all spheres between Vietnam and China is critical to each country’s development, bringing about economic benefits and reinforcing mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples, said President Tran Dai Quang.
Nguyen Chi Vinh, standing member of the Central Military Commission and Deputy Defence Minister, met with Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, in Beijing on May 12 in the framework of President Tran Dai Quang’s State visit to China.
Vietnam encourages Chinese businesses, including those from Fujian province, to invest in projects using high technology in the country, President Tran Dai Quang said at an economic-trade cooperation seminar on May 13.
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.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
President Tran Dai Quang (middle) (Source: VNA) 
