Brian Jeffrey
On the afternoon of May 25, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, along with his wife, welcomed Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a distinguished Vietnamese delegation in Kuala Lumpur.
This visit marks PM Chinh’s official trip to Malaysia as he participates in the 46th ASEAN Summit and other related meetings from May 24 to 28.
After the welcome ceremony, both Prime Ministers led their respective delegations in discussions focusing on bilateral relations.
This visit represents the first by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Malaysia in a decade and is notable as it is the first major visit following the elevation of diplomatic ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in November 2024.
Over the past 50 years, relations between Vietnam and Malaysia have thrived, accelerating following the establishment of a strategic partnership in August 2015 and the subsequent comprehensive strategic partnership in November 2024.
The political and diplomatic ties between the two nations are underscored by high-level visits and interactions among leaders from various sectors, including the Party, Government, State, and Parliament, alongside exchanges among their citizens. Both nations have prioritized the enhancement of cooperation mechanisms and have maintained close collaboration at regional and international platforms like ASEAN, the United Nations, and APEC.
One of the standout features of their partnership is the economic and trade cooperation. Malaysia ranks as Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN and ninth globally. Trade volumes have shown a consistent upward trend, reaching 14.2 billion USD in 2024, a 20% increase from 2023, with hopes of achieving 18 billion USD this year. With an investment capital of 13 billion USD, Malaysia stands as the 10th largest investor among 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
Security and defense cooperation has also strengthened, and joint efforts in labor, culture, education, tourism, and interpersonal exchanges have resulted in positive outcomes. The nearly 40,000 Vietnamese individuals residing in Malaysia are playing a significant role in fortifying the relationship between the two nations.
PM Chinh’s visit holds considerable importance as it seeks to enhance unity among ASEAN members and illustrates Vietnam’s unwavering foreign policy of cherishing its friendly and comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia.
The journey aims to solidify the political foundation and generate further momentum for the partnership across various dimensions. Discussions will likely focus on outlining key directions and specific actions to realize their newly established comprehensive strategic partnership, benefiting both peoples as well as fostering peace, stability, and progress in the region and beyond. /.VNA
