29/05/2025

THURSDAY | MAY 29, 2025

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Asean, GCC, China commit to strengthening cooperation

BLOC MUST STEP UP: SINGAPORE PM SINGAPORE: Asean has to step up, work together and fashion a place for itself in this changed world or risk losing its relevance, said Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after concluding his visit to Malaysia for the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits. He said there was a clear sense of renewed urgency among Asean leaders to advance the bloc’s integration efforts, and the adoption of the Asean Community Vision 2045 is an important, positive step in that direction. – Bernama CABINET MEETING BEFORE ELECTION SEOUL: Acting President Lee Ju-ho led the final Cabinet meeting before the June 3 presidential election yesterday, saying he is sorry that the administration’s work had to be cut short three years into its term, Yonhap News Agency reported. “I hope that (the next government) will develop our achievements while taking lessons from our faults.”Lee also highlighted the work of the previous administration in pursuing reforms in the national pension system, healthcare, education and labour. “Still, the people will assess that they fell short. We must humbly accept criticism for the areas that were lacking.” – Bernama-Yonhap THAIS, CAMBODIANS EXCHANGE GUNFIRE BANGKOK: Thai and Cambodian armed forces yesterday exchanged gunfire at their shared border, military officials said. The Thai army said the clash happened after Cambodian soldiers started firing near Ubon Ratchathani province in Thailand’s east. This led to an exchange lasting around 10 minutes before the Cambodians requested a ceasefire. A Cambodian army spokesperson said Thai soldiers attacked Cambodian troops on border patrol duty. Neither side had casualties. – AFP

BR I E F S

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China have reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepen cooperation across broad areas, charting a united and collective path towards a peaceful, prosperous and equitable future. Their leaders, in a joint statement issued after the inaugural tripartite summit on Tuesday, reiterated their collective resolve to work hand-in-hand to unlock the full potential of the partnership, and to ensure this cooperation translates into tangible benefits for the peoples and communities. On economic integration, the leaders committed to enhancing industrial and supply chain resilience, and fostering sustainable trade practices for new economic o Leaders to ensure partnership translates into tangible benefits for communities

disaster management, biodiversity conservation, marine protection and pollution control, as well as to pursue opportunities in digital innovation and technology by exploring a cross-regional framework and partnerships to promote the digital economy, including digital trade, e-commerce, fintech and artificial intelligence. The joint statement said the parties agreed to explore cooperation in the halal food sector and support efforts to strengthen food security, advancing food trade and agricultural technologies cooperation. They also aimed to forge greater people-to-people understanding through culture, education and tourism, the statement added. The leaders agreed to implement the outcomes of their engagement through mutually agreed-upon initiatives and existing mechanisms. On a separate topic, the leaders condemned attacks against civilians in Gaza and called for all parties to the conflict to refrain from targeting them. They jointly called for a lasting ceasefire, according to the statement.

saving in all Asean countries, especially with the help of existing information sharing platforms such as Price Information Exchange for Medicines. “Mutual understanding needs to be strengthened among Asean member states and between the private and government sectors in every member state,” the declaration said, Bernama reported. It added that Asean health ministers have been tasked to cooperate with other ministers, relevant sectoral bodies and stakeholders to implement the declaration, mobilise resources, and monitor and report on progress. They urged for unhindered access for humanitarian aid, basic necessities and restoration of essential services in Gaza, and to enable the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees to carry out its humanitarian works in the area. The leaders expressed grave concerns over the developments and agreed to support ongoing efforts to release all hostages and those under arbitrary detention, it said. They urged all parties concerned to work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with a view of realising the two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders. They also agreed to support the efforts of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, noting Saudi Arabia’s initiatives to cooperate with Norway and the European Union towards realising an independent Palestinian state. They also recognised Qatar’s mediation efforts for a ceasefire and facilitating aid delivery, as well as China’s efforts towards Palestinian internal reconciliation. – Bernama

opportunities in potential areas in emerging and future-oriented industries, such as the digital and green economy and technologies. They also agreed to explore the establishment of a regional business council to facilitate dialogue between businesses from Asean, GCC and China in supporting enhanced trade and investment flows and the development of regional value chains. The agreement also looks to enhance connectivity through promoting high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and sustainable infrastructure development that is meant to support interconnected economic diversification, growth and long-term sustainability. According to the statement, the leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation on energy security and sustainability through knowledge sharing and collaboration in areas such as renewable and clean energy and green technology. They also pledged to promote environmental sustainability through joint efforts in climate action,

Member states pledge to improve drug security KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member states have declared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation to improve drug security through the Asean Drug Security and Self-Reliance (ADSSR) initiative and the Framework on Regional Collaboration for ADSSR. In a declaration adopted at the 46th Asean Summit on Monday, member states committed to strengthening the continuum of life cycle of medicines from production, registration, procurement and distribution. “This may be achieved through an enhanced platform of communication and data sharing related to this priority to ensure successful collaboration across all domains,” the declaration said. It emphasised the alignment of regulatory pathways among Asean member states and collaboration in the procurement and supply of pharmaceutical products, especially during public health emergencies. unregistered products during public health emergencies in some countries. Asean countries also pledged to cooperate on research and development for new medicines targeting diseases unique to the region, and to collaborate on the manufacturing of needed medicines that meet quality standards within member states.

They reaffirmed the potential collaboration on the development of a regional medicine pooled procurement system, considering possible regional limitations. “This is essential to increase negotiation power and maximise cost

It said this would ensure an uninterrupted and timely supply of pharmaceutical products among member states, adding that regulations and legislations should be in place to allow the use of

This is to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain and availability of safe, efficacious and quality-assured medicines at all times.

Fallout fears after deadly China chemical blast GAOMI: Residents near a blown out chemical plant in China’s eastern Shandong province yesterday

Indonesia, France to boost defence ties JAKARTA: Indonesia and France sought to deepen their strategic defence ties with the signing of a Letter of Intent during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Jakarta yesterday, officials said. The agreement aims to expand cooperation in defence, particularly in the area of strategic weapons systems, said Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin after welcoming Macron and First Lady Brigitte. “We will be enhancing defence cooperation, especially in relation to strategic defence equipment.” Macron is scheduled to travel to the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, where he will inspect French language training facilities for Indonesian military personnel. “He will visit the French language laboratory used by soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers of the Indonesian Armed Forces,” said Sjafrie. – Bernama

assessed the damage to their village and monitored the wind, fearful of toxic fallout from an explosion that killed at least five people a day earlier. Smoke was still rising from the smouldering facility as emergency services continued to tend to the site. Local officials have not yet released the results of air quality tests. The blast happened just before noon on Tuesday at a plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical in the city of Gaomi, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and littering the roadside with debris for more than a kilometre. Nineteen people were injured and six remain missing, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Yu Qianming, a 69-year-old farmer, showed Reuters roofing that

The badly damaged plant after

the explosion. – REUTERSPIC

had fallen in and windows that had shattered, but said nobody in his home had suffered any injuries. He said he and his wife felt safe in their home as long as

the wind continued to blow north, but added that they had moved their grandchild elsewhere as a precaution. The plant develops and produces

chemical

components

for and pharmaceuticals, employing more than 300 people on a site of more than 47ha. – Reuters use in pesticides