World

China-ASEAN trade up nearly 5 percent

The bilateral trade between ASEAN and China hit 105.22 billion USD in the first quarter of this year, up 4.9 percent against the same period in 2013.
The bilateral trade between ASEAN and China hit 105.22 billion USD inthe first quarter of this year, up 4.9 percent against the same periodin 2013.

According to the China-ASEAN Trade Area QuarterlyReport released by the China-ASEAN Business Council in Beijing on April30, China’s export to the ten-member group rose by 6.8 percent to over56.2 billion USD while its import expanded by 2.9 percent to nearly 49billion USD.

During the reviewed period, China imported over19.6 billion USD worth of electro-mechanics from ASEAN membercountries, except from Brunei, Cambodia and Laos, down 7.91 percent,making up 40.17 percent of the country’s total import value to the bloc.

Meanwhile, China shipped nearly 48.6 billion USD worth ofthese products to ASEAN, representing an increase of 8.75 percent.

Other goods such as minerals, rubber, plastics, garments and textiles also dominated trade ties between the two sides.

Between January and March, China’s direct and non-financialinvestment in ASEAN totalled 1.05 billion USD. ASEAN also injectednearly 1.97 billion USD in the country.

The two sides also inked new projects worth 5.64 billion USD in the first three months of this year.

Apart from such statistics, the report also pointed out prospects andorientations for cooperation between China and ASEAN as well asdifficulties hindering the bilateral trade ties.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.