Leading scientists and researchers specializing in Asia-Pacific region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and international law, discussed the East Sea disputes in the system of modern international relations in Asia-Pacific region at a round-table in Moscow on May 11.
Pavel Gudev, an international law expert from the Russian Academy of Sciences addresses the conference (Photo: VNA)
Moscow (VNA) – Leading scientists and researchers specializingin Asia-Pacific region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) andinternational law, discussed the East Sea disputes in the system of moderninternational relations in Asia-Pacific region at a round-table in Moscow onMay 11.
They analysed recent developments in the East Sea and discussed theprospects of settling the issues at the event, held by the Institute of OrientalStudies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
They affirmed that disputes in the East Sea are among the largestthreats to the global stability and security, as besides the states claimingsovereignty in the area, world powers also have interest in the sea.
They showed their concern about China’s recent militarization activitiesin the East Sea, especially Beijing’s deployment of a missile system in thedisputed area, as well as the competition of influence of the US and China inthe region.
Pavel Gudev, an international law expert from the Russian Academy of Sciences said that the rulingof the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague affirmed the illegal natureof China’s claims of over 80 percent of water surface of the East Sea.Meanwhile, many meetings, forums, conferences in the world and the region suchas the G7 Summit and the ASEAN-EU Summit, also mentioned concerns about China’smoves in the region, especially Beijing’s construction of artificial islandsand militarization in the East Sea.
He highlighted that China is making full use of its political,diplomatic and economic influences to convince other countries not to supportthe court’s judgment.
The expert also stressed that China should not interfere into economicactivities of its neighbouring countries in disputed areas, especially notbothering Philippine and Vietnamese fishermen’s fishing activities in theirtraditional fishing ground.
Meanwhile, Prof. Ekaterinna Koldunov of the Russia Academy of Diplomacysaid that the most important factor to ease tension in the relations betweenChina and its neighbouring countries is the building and signing of anagreement on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
She noted that despite difficulties facing the reaching of the COC,certain progress has seen in the process through the ASEAN-China SeniorOfficials’ Meeting in May 2017 and the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministerial Meetingin August 2017.
Participants agreed that all parties involved should deal with disputesin the East Sea through peaceful negotiation, not to threaten to use force, andact in line with international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea1982. China and ASEAN should promptly negotiate and sign the legally-binding COCbased on international law, they said.
They also proposed that Russia should show more active engagement insettling disputes in the East Sea as an intermediary.-VNA
Vietnam demanded China to immediately end illegal activities in the areas of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, to respect the Southeast Asian country’s sovereignty over the archipelagoes and not to carry out any activity that increase tensions and complicate the situation in the region.
Vietnam asks China, as a large nation in the region and the world, to perform its responsibility in maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea, stated Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang on May 8.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Pavel Gudev, an international law expert from the Russian Academy of Sciences addresses the conference (Photo: VNA) 
