Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his hope that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be signed by the end of this year.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: channelnewsasia.com)
Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongexpressed his hope that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) willbe signed by the end of this year.
RCEP involves the 10 ASEAN member countries as well as China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. It is poised to become the largest free-trade agreement in the world, coveringabout half of its population.
In his opening speech at the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting(AMM-51) on August 2, PM Lee said Southeast Asian countries are redoubling theirefforts to conclude the deal by the end of the year.
He admitted that negotiations willbe not easy, especially in the context of the growing mood of nationalism andprotectionism in many countries.
"The rules-based multilateral trading system, which has underpinnedASEAN's growth and prosperity, is under pressure," he warned, stressing itis important that ASEAN continues to support the multilateral trading system.
The Singapore leader said that asthe world enters the fourth industrial revolution, ASEAN member states need toembrace innovation, build up digital connectivity and prepare themselves forthe future.
He emphasised the importance of measures to ensure cyber security, citing Singapore’s recent experience with a “major intrusion”into largest public health care group SingHealth’s data systems.-VNA
Thailand has expressed its hope of joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), formerly the Trans-Pacific Partnership, said Japanese Minister in charge of the CPTPP Toshimitsu Motegi.
The Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Philippines have agreed to further expand economic cooperation and work together for an early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Senior officials’ meetings within the framework of the ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) took place in Singapore on June 6 and 7.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has proposed building a cooperation programme between the Vietnamese and Japanese Governments to effectively enforce the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
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.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: channelnewsasia.com) 
