Beijing (VNA) – China’s trade with ASEAN went up in the first five months of 2025 to account for 16.8% of the country’s total foreign trade, making the blocಌ its largest trading partner, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.
From January to May, trade turnover between China and ASEAN reached 3.02 trillion RMB (420.5 billion USD), up 9.1% year-on-year. This pushed ASEAN ahead of the EU and the US in trade rankings. The EU ranked second with 2.3 trillion RMB, up 2.9%, while the US stood at the third place.
China’s overall foreign trade during the period stood at 17.94 trillion RMB, up 2.5% from a year earlier. Exports rose by 7.2% to 10.67 trillion RMB while imports fell 3.8% to 7.27 trillion RMB.
In May alone, China’s trade hit 3.81 trillion RMB, with exports climbing 6.3% to 2.28 trillion RMB and imports down 2.1% to 1.53 trillion RMB.
Private enterprises continued to play a significant role in China's foreign trade, contributing 57.1% of the total value. Their export value alone accounted for 65.4%, or 6.97 trillion RMB, of total national exports.
The data reflect China’s ongoing economic recovery and the resilience of its foreign trade sector. Trade growth has been sustained, especially following the country's high-level economic and trade negotiations with the US./.
The "ASEAN Visa" is launched on the basis of comprehensive mutual visa exemption with countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, as well as the issuance of the "Lancang-Mekong visa" for Mekong River nations, aiming to further facilitate cross-border travel within the region.
Vietnamese authorities are actively carrying out domestic procedures in accordance with national regulations for the signing of the upgraded ASEAN–China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), scheduled for October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
PM Pham Minh Chinh proposed establishing a robust financial connectivity network among major centres such as Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai, Dubai, and Riyadh to create a seamless inter-regional financial ecosystem, which he said will propel ASEAN – GCC – China cooperation to new heights.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
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.
