Australia, UK underline importance of maritime rights, freedom in East Sea
Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers underscored the importance of countries being able to exercise their maritime rights and freedoms in the East Sea consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight, at the annual ministerial consultations in 2022.
UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss (Photo: AFP)
Sydney (VNA) 𝄹– Australian and UKforeign and defence ministers underscored the importance of countries being able to exercise theirmaritime rights and freedoms in the East Sea consistent with the UN Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight, at theannual ministerial consultations in 2022.
In a joint statement on January 21,Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Defence PeterDutton together with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth andDevelopment Affairs Elizabeth Truss and Secretary of State for Defence BenWallace reiterated their strong opposition to actions that raisetensions, including the militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous useof coast guard and maritime militia and efforts to disrupt other countries’utilisation of their offshore resources.
Theyreiterated that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision relating to the East Sea is final andbinding on the parties. Both sides emphasised that any Code of Conduct mustfully accord with international law, in particular the UNCLOS, not prejudicethe rights or interests of States under international law or undermine existinginclusive regional architecture. Maritime claims, and the implementation ofdomestic legislation must be consistent with the UNCLOS.
In the joint statement, the ministers renewed their support for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacificregion in which the sovereign rights of all nations are respected. Theyreaffirmed their commitment to working with partners to shape a regionunderpinned by rules and norms and that is free from coercion, and wheredisputes are settled peacefully and in accordance with international law.
ꩲ The two sides welcomed the enhancement of their countries’relationships with ASEAN, including the establishment of an ASEAN-AustraliaComprehensive Strategic Partnership and the UK’s new status as an officialASEAN Dialogue Partner. Australia and the UK strongly support ASEAN centrality,ASEAN-led regional architecture, and practical implementation of ASEAN’sOutlook on the Indo-Pacific, they said./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 28 called on India to continue supporting and actively contributing to ASEAN’s efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in the East Sea.
The Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam held the 13th international conference on the East Sea under the theme "Looking back to a brighter future" in Hanoi on November 18.
Experts at the 13th South China Sea International Conference on November 19 shared the view on the significance of building order in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
Vietnam always opposes and does not accept all claims in the East Sea that are inconsistent with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said on January 14.
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.
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.
UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss (Photo: AFP) 
