Vietnam - Malaysia elevate relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

On the afternoon of November 21, General Secretary To Lam and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim co-chaired a press conference to announce the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The two nations agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including security, defense, maritime collaboration, and emerging fields such as energy and the digital economy.

Both sides also discussed existing partnerships in the oil and gas sector, expressing a mutual desire to deepen cooperation in fisheries based on trust and friendship.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the significant presence of Malaysian businesses operating successfully in Vietnam. He conveyed his gratitude and urged Vietnam to continue creating favorable conditions for Malaysian enterprises. Additionally, he sought Vietnam’s support for Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025.

At the press conference, General Secretary To Lam outlined the key pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. These include fostering trust and collaboration in politics, defense, and security as a solid foundation for bilateral relations. Malaysia and Vietnam aim to ensure a peaceful and stable environment for development by increasing exchanges and cooperation across all levels and sectors. They also committed to implementing existing dialogue and cooperation mechanisms effectively while exploring new frameworks tailored to their evolving needs and interests.

Vietnam and Malaysia are committed to boosting bilateral trade, aiming to achieve a turnover of USD 18 billion or more, in a balanced and mutually beneficial direction. They also pledged to cooperate on ensuring the benefits of oil and gas partnerships and to explore the possibility of establishing a regional mechanism for development cooperation in overlapping areas, if applicable.

Both sides will focus on strengthening cooperation in emerging fields such as the blue economy, innovation, science and technology, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as in other key areas including education and training, human resource development, labor, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, all with the goal of promoting sustainable development.

Vietnam and Malaysia will continue to actively support and coordinate on regional and international issues, working together to promote peace, security, and stability, particularly within multilateral forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). They also aim to drive ASEAN’s development forward, working towards realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and beyond, while strengthening sub-regional cooperation and connectivity, including in the Mekong sub-region.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized the commitment to closely coordinate efforts to maintain peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea (East Sea). Both sides reaffirmed their stance on peacefully resolving disputes, without the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

The two leaders called on all relevant parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea. 

General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025, pledging continued close coordination with Malaysia and all ASEAN member states in working towards the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.