DPRK Chairman’s train arrives in China en route to Vietnam
The armoured train of Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-un crossed into the Chinese border town of Dandong after 9pm on February 23 (local time) ahead of his second summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam, according to international media reports.
It was not known whether Kim Jong-un was on board the train. (Source: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) – The armoured train ofChairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the State Affairs Commission of theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-un crossed into theChinese border town of Dandong after 9pm on February 23 (local time) ahead ofhis second summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam, according to internationalmedia reports.
Yonhap News Agency of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the specialist outlet NKNews reported that it was not known whether the DPRK leader was on board thetrain.
Security was tight before the train's arrival with police cordoning off theriverfront some 100 metres yards from the bridge withtape and metal barriers.
On February 23, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that KimJong-un will pay an official friendship visit to the Southeast Asian nation inthe coming days.
The visit is made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Partyof Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong.
Vietnam is making meticulous preparation for the second summit between the DPRKleader and US President Donald Trump, which is slated to take place in thecapital city of Hanoi on February 27 and 28.-VNA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh cut the ribbon to inaugurate an international media centre in service of the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam in Hanoi on February 23.
The upcoming DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam is a good chance for Vietnam to promote its foreign policy and show its wish to join hands in building peace in the region and the world, said Le Thi Thu Hang, the Foreign Ministry's Spokeswoman.
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.
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.
It was not known whether Kim Jong-un was on board the train. (Source: AFP) 
