Vietnam, Cambodia Boost Ties, Strengthening Regional Cooperation

Leaders from both sides have demonstrated consistent political will to turn the motto of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability into concrete results, based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neak Chandarith. During her stay in Vietnam, Khuon Sudary was received by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, held a meeting with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, and held talks with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who also hosted the official welcome ceremony. Cambodian media described the NA President’s official visit as a success, saying it has further deepened the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The Lao Government, during its regular meeting for July, instructed relevant ministries, sectors and localities to urgently study investment options for an oil pipeline linking Laos and Vietnam, aiming to strengthen national energy security amid growing volatility in the global fuel market. Malaysia's overall rice supply remains at a healthy level, with total trading stocks standing at 1.249 million metric tonnes as of July 14, including a 200,000 metric tonne stockpile capable of meeting national demand for 6.2 months. NBC Governor Chea Serey said growth will be driven by rising exports of garments, non-garment manufactured goods and agricultural products, alongside continued inflows of foreign direct investment. Alongside domestic capacity building, Thailand is seeking to strengthen regional semiconductor cooperation. Its proposals include establishing an ASEAN Talent Observatory to forecast workforce demand, expanding the Thailand Skill Bridge platform, promoting joint research and development (R&D) programmes, and incorporating photonics and printed circuit boards into the ASEAN Semiconductor Roadmap. According to a written reply by the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) published on the Dewan Negara (Senate) website on July 29, the health and economic costs associated with vaping-related illnesses significantly outweigh the 354.51 million MYR in excise duty collected from e-cigarette products between 2023 and June 11, 2026. Thailand remains a highly attractive destination for Muslim travellers, but maintaining its leadership position will require continued investment and a structured approach to strengthening its Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem. AI does not create misinformation but enables false content to be produced and disseminated more quickly and easily. ASEAN should therefore strengthen trusted information sources, improve the public's ability to identify false information and encourage greater accountability among digital platforms. Participants at the panel discussion on ASEAN’s role in promoting rules-based maritime cooperation highlighted the bloc’s strategic role in maritime governance amid intensifying geopolitical competition, supply chain disruptions and growing non-traditional security threats. Speaking at a regional energy conference in Selangor state on July 29, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that while ASEAN member states are placing strong emphasis on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, nuclear energy has not received the attention it deserves. Representatives from both sides concurred on strengthening coordination to ensure that humanitarian assistance for citizens of both countries is delivered fully and effectively at a meeting held at the Ban Khlong Luek international border crossing in Thailand's Sa Kaeo province on July 29. An Indonesian official reaffirmed the country's ambition to strengthen its position as ASEAN's business events hub while promoting high-quality and sustainable tourism that generates greater added value. In a statement released on July 29, Indonesia’s Creative Economy Minister Teuku Riefky Harsya said the creative economy is closely aligned with young people, making partnerships with digital platforms and creative media essential to strengthening the sector's ecosystem. In his opening remarks, Lao NA Vice President Vilayvong Boutdakham highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, natural disasters and energy shortages, noting that these issues are having significant impacts on livelihoods and sustainable development across the region. Professional journalism must move beyond conventional practices. In addition to chronicling events, the media has a role in helping the public better understand ASEAN policies, making it a vital partner in advancing regional integration, according to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to expand by 4.9% in 2026 and 5% in 2027. Inflation is projected to rise to 2.1% in 2026 and 2.3% in 2027, driven by higher wages and energy prices, while unemployment is expected to decline further to a healthy 2.9% in 2026. Police said the Chinese man and three Thai suspects were arrested last week after the Chinese embassy sought legal action against criminals who had misused stolen credit card data from 1,200 Chinese tourists in Thailand. They were part of a criminal network operating in China, Thailand and the US. Around 50 children aged between one and 14 participated in the exchange activities with diplomats from ASEAN member states. Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hai Luu reiterated Vietnam's support for the two-State solution based on the pre-1967 borders, in line with international law and relevant UN resolutions, with a view to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East. Thai exports to the US grew over the first nine months of the fiscal year (starting October 1, 2025), up by nearly 34% year-on-year for a value of 2.13 trillion THB (63.32 billion USD). Thailand expects the 2026 Global Wellness Summit, scheduled for November 10-13 in Phuket, to generate at least 300 million THB (8.91 million USD) in economic value, reinforcing Thailand's role in the global wellness industry. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.