Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Malaysia takes place amid thriving Vietnam-Malaysia relations, particularly in the nearly 10 years since the establishment of their strategic partnership. As ASEAN members, Vietnam and Malaysia regard each other as important strategic partners and prioritise their relationship in foreign policy. The CPV maintains positive ties with major political parties in Malaysia. The two nations share a common vision and development goals for the new era.
During the visit, the Malaysian government, political parties, and people extended a warm, respectful, and friendly reception to Party leader To Lam, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.
The Party general secretary held important talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim; met with leaders of the Senate, House of Representatives, and political parties of Malaysia, delivered a policy speech at the University of Malaya, visited prominent economic establishments, and received leaders of major Malaysian corporations.
In an atmosphere of trust and sincerity during the meetings and discussions, leaders of both nations reviewed the deep and comprehensive friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia over the past 50 years of establishment and development with historical challenges and continuing to grow stronger.
Established in 2015, the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership has been continuously strengthened and deepened, achieving significant milestones both bilaterally and multilaterally. This partnership has been built on mutual understanding, trust, and a shared vision for security, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region, as well as cultural and historical similarities and close ties between the peoples of both nations.
Recognising that Vietnam-Malaysia relations are currently thriving with ample opportunities and potential for further advancement, both sides agreed to elevate the partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This advancement makes Malaysia the first ASEAN member and Southeast Asian nation to achieve the highest-level partnership framework with Vietnam.
The joint statement on upgrading Vietnam-Malaysia relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership underscores the commitment of both nations to support each other on their development paths. It emphasises continued enhancement of friendship, trust, and comprehensive cooperation, based on respect for international law, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, political systems, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
The joint statement outlines the key elements of the new framework and scope of the bilateral relationship. Accordingly, both sides will strengthen trust and cooperation in politics, defence, security, and legal matters, creating a solid foundation that contributes to a peaceful and stable environment for development; enhance economic connectivity with a focus on sustainable growth, contributing to shared development and prosperity; expand cooperation in emerging fields such as the green economy, innovation, and digital transformation; actively support and coordinate with each other on regional and international issues, for peace, security, and shared stability.
Both sides reaffirmed ASEAN's consistent stance on the East Sea/South China Sea, emphasising cooperation to maintain peace, security, stability, and the safety and freedom of navigation and overflight. They agreed to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also committed to fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the East Sea and facilitating and promoting negotiations for an effective and substantive code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
Marking a historic milestone in Vietnam-Malaysia relations, the elevation of their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership underscores the significance of Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Malaysia. It affirms the consistent policy of Vietnamese Party and State to prioritise and strengthen relations with neighbouring countries and the region, including Malaysia.
The visit’s success has further consolidated the foundation of political trust and elevated Vietnam-Malaysia relations to a higher, more practical, and more effective level, in line with the developmental needs of both nations. It also demonstrates Vietnam’s commitment to cooperating with other member states to build a united and resilient ASEAN Community, uphold ASEAN’s central role, and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
