At the ACSOC-32 meeting, ASEAN member states highly valued China’s role in the region and globally, saying China is one of ASEAN’s most dynamic, comprehensive and wide-ranging partners. ASEAN and China were also described as key drivers of regional growth and development, with the regional bloc’s GDP growth projected at 4.9% in 2025 and China’s at 5%.

The two sides have been major trade and investment partners for many years.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, Head of the ASEAN-China SOM delegation, said ASEAN is one of the world’s most successful regional organizations with an increasingly important voice and role in the region. She reaffirmed that China sees ASEAN as a priority in its neighbourhood policy, supports ASEAN Community-building efforts and ASEAN centrality, and stands ready to contribute to regional development and prosperity.

The meeting noted that 2026 will mark the start of ASEAN’s implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and related strategic plans. It will also be the first year ASEAN and China carry out their joint Plan of Action (POA) for 2026-2030.

Delegates said effective implementation of these visions and plans will provide a solid and mutually reinforcing foundation for closer cooperation and common development.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ASEAN and China agreed to organize a range of practical activities to highlight the significance of these milestones and create new opportunities for deeper cooperation in the years ahead.

Amid increasingly rapid, complex and unpredictable global developments, the meeting stressed the importance of dialogue, trust-building, connectivity, collaboration and stronger resilience to external shocks, contributing to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region.

Delegates also reviewed the implementation of outcomes from the 28th ASEAN-China Summit in October 2025 and consented to speed up implementation of the ASEAN-China Plan of Action for 2026-2030.

Both sides also pledged to finalize ratification procedures and effectively implement the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 protocol, while expanding collaboration in energy, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, combating cybercrime and online fraud.

At the SOM-DOC 26 meeting, participating countries reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). ASEAN  and China also reviewed progress in fully realizing the DOC and negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Addressing the meetings, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang reiterated that Vietnam and ASEAN attach importance to the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He emphasized that, particularly in the current context, ASEAN-China relations should contribute more actively to regional peace, stability and development. According to him, both sides should continue upholding international law, the United Nations Charter, the TAC and multilateralism, while strengthening consultations, building trust and promoting dialogue through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Giang also called for stronger consultations aimed at China’s early signing and ratification of the protocol to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. In addition, he urged both sides to enhance road, rail, maritime and air connectivity to facilitate trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, while boosting coordination to tackle emerging challenges such as border security, anti-human trafficking, anti-drug trafficking, anti-money laundering efforts and cybersecurity.

The Vietnamese diplomat underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom of navigation and aviation, settling disputes through peaceful means and complying with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.

He also called on parties to fully and effectively implement the DOC, describing it as an important foundation for COC negotiations. Vietnam, he said, will continue working closely with ASEAN member states and China toward the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC in line with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982, contributing to peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea.

On the sidelines of the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang also held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, Head of the ASEAN-China SOM delegation, and Hou Yanqi, Head of China’s SOM-DOC delegation.

During the meetings, the two sides concurred to continue close coordination to effectively implement agreements and common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries, while intensifying high-level exchanges and practical cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, transport, agriculture and energy.

They also compared notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern and coordination at multilateral forums, emphasizing their determination to accelerate negotiations on an effective and substantive COC consistent with international law and UNCLOS 1982.

Vietnam pledges to contribute more to adaptive, future-ready ASEAN

As an active and responsible member of ASEAN and the international community, the Vietnam People's Army will continue contributing to a united, adaptive, and future-ready ASEAN.