4-6-2023 (HANOI) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, in Hanoi on Sunday. The leaders discussed a range of issues, including climate change and concerns over China’s actions in the South China Sea.
At a joint press briefing, Albanese promised a $105 million support package to assist Vietnam in combating climate change, stimulating private investment in clean energy infrastructure, and developing its critical mineral sector. The two leaders also spoke about the recent situation in the South China Sea, following an incident involving a Chinese survey vessel and its escorts violating Vietnam’s sovereignty.
“The prime minister and I discussed our shared vision of an open, stable, secure, prosperous, and resilient Indo-Pacific that is respectful of national sovereignty,” Albanese said.
Australia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1973, and their bilateral ties have grown stronger over the past 50 years in various sectors, including education, agriculture, security, and trade. Two-way trade between the two countries reached almost $15.7 billion in 2022, up nearly 27% from the previous year.
Albanese’s visit to Vietnam is part of his first overseas trip as prime minister, which also includes stops in Japan and South Korea. The trip is aimed at deepening Australia’s relationships with its key allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
