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Indonesia, Vietnam discuss South China Sea security, EVs as Jokowi visits

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Reporting by Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi; Additional reporting by Stanley Widianto in Jakarta; Editing by Jamie Freed

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Francesco leads a team of reporters in Vietnam that covers top financial and political news in the fast-growing southeast Asian country with a focus on supply chains and manufacturing investments in several sectors, including electronics, semiconductors, automotive and renewables. Before Hanoi, Francesco worked in Brussels on EU affairs. He was also part of Reuters core global team that covered the COVID-19 pandemic and participated in investigations into money laundering and corruption in Europe. He is an eager traveler, always keen to put on a backpack to explore new places.

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Indonesia’s president visits Vietnam’s EV maker Vinfast and says conditions ready for a car plant

In this photo released by VinFast, Indonesian President Joko Widodo sits behind the wheel of a VinFast electric car as Vingroup Chairman and VinFast Global CEO Pham Nhat Vuong, right, looks on in Hai Phong, Vietnam on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. (VinFast via AP)

In this photo released by VinFast, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, center right, speaks with Vingroup Chairman and VinFast Global CEO Pham Nhat Vuong, center left, after visiting VinFast EV manufacturing complex in Hai Phong, Vietnam on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. (VinFast via AP)

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HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Vietnamese automaker VinFast’s factory on Saturday and said that he would create the necessary conditions for the multinational to be able to build a plant and invest in Indonesia quickly.

On a trip to the sprawling factory in the port city of Haiphong in northern Vietnam, Widodo also sat behind the wheel of a VinFast electric car before wrapping up his three-day visit to Vietnam .

The Vietnamese EV maker has said it will invest $1.2 billion in Indonesia and build a factory with the potential to make up to 50,000 vehicles every year. Green SM, an EV taxi operator that is mostly owned by VinFast’s founder, also announced an investment plan of $900 million in Indonesia. It had earlier signed an agreement with Indonesian technology company PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk, the owner of Gojek transportation services, to help their taxi service switch to electric vehicles.

VinFast’s plans to expand in Indonesia are part of their global goal of selling EVs in 50 markets worldwide. It is exporting EVs to the U.S. and also building a $4 billion EV factory in North Carolina , where production is slated to begin this year.

Earlier this month it said it planned to spend up to $2 billion to build an electric vehicle factory in India , the world’s third-largest auto market by sales.

VinFast is part of Vingroup, a sprawling conglomerate that began as an instant noodle company in Ukraine in the 1990s. It was founded and is run by Vietnam’s richest man, Pham Nhat Vuong.

Both Vietnam and Indonesia have been pledged billions of dollars by the Group of Seven advanced economies to help transition away from dirty fossil fuel as a part of a Just Energy Transition Partnership.

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Hanoi, Jakarta discuss South China Sea during Indonesian president’s visit

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his Vietnamese counterpart agreed Friday to push towards the conclusion of a “substantive and effective” Code of Conduct for the South China Sea amid rising tensions in the region.

Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, is in Hanoi on the second leg of his tour to three Southeast Asian countries – the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei.

Jokowi and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong held a meeting to discuss the strategic partnership between the two countries, Vietnam’s state media reported.

“The two leaders reiterated the importance of peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea,” said the official Voice of Vietnam (VOV), referring to the South China Sea by its Vietnamese name. 

“[They] underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and committed to working towards the conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) that is in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” VOV said.

Vietnam and Indonesia will cooperate to maintain ASEAN’s unity and solidarity, as well as the Southeast Asian bloc’s common approach in dealing with maritime issues, it added.

China and ASEAN agreed on a DOC in 2002, but progress on a legally binding COC has been slow going amid an increasing risk of conflict.

Before Hanoi, while visiting Manila (Jan. 9-11) Jokowi also discussed the South China Sea with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and “affirmed our insistence on the universality of UNCLOS, which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and in the seas," according to an official statement .

Manila has accused Beijing of escalating aggression in the waters under the Philippines’ jurisdiction, or the West Philippine Sea. China refuted the accusations and blamed the Philippines for “provocation.”

Maritime cooperation

In light of recent developments in the South China Sea, “on Dec. 30, 2023, ASEAN foreign ministers issued a joint statement on maintaining and promoting stability in the maritime sphere in Southeast Asia,” said Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto, lecturer on international relations at Universitas Indonesia.

“Consistent with this joint statement, [during Jokowi’s visit] the two sides – Indonesia and Vietnam – will agree to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” said Supriyanto, who is also a fellow at Forum Sinologi Indonesia, a research institution.

But much will depend on China which “does not want any of the ASEAN claimants to base their actions only on UNCLOS,” according to the academic.

“From Beijing’s perspective, the only way to manage and settle the disputes is to negotiate with China directly. Anything else China sees as counterproductive, even provocative,” he said.

Six parties – Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan and China – claim parts of the South China Sea. Beijing’s claim, the so-called nine-dash line, encircles almost 90% of the sea. 

Indonesia is not a claimant in the broader sea but its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claim overlaps with those of Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as with China’s ‘nine-dash line.’

“Indonesia too is a little bit cautious in their approach to the whole dispute in the South China Sea,” said Nguyen The Phuong, a Vietnamese security analyst.

“They have strong material capabilities, as well as being seen as the de-facto leader of ASEAN but not being one of the claimants makes them hesitant to push hard on the issue,” said Phuong, who is currently studying for a PhD at UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

It doesn’t mean Vietnam and Indonesia can’t “continue cooperation in maritime law enforcement in both bilateral and multilateral manners,” according to the analyst. 

The Vietnamese and Indonesian navies reached an agreement on joint training procedures in 2021 and the two countries’ coast guard forces at the end of 2022 also signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation.

“Maybe there will be other agreements on defense cooperation, especially the defense industry,” Phuong said.

Agreement on boundaries

In 2023, Indonesia as the rotating chairman organized a five-day ASEAN Solidarity Exercise (ASEX 23) – the grouping’s first ever joint naval drills focusing on humanitarian disaster responses.

Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto from Universitas Indonesia, who proposed ASEAN ‘coordinated patrols’ in the South China Sea, said the bloc needs “novel initiatives” when dealing with China’s excessive claims. 

“The fact is that countries have tried for decades negotiating with China in vain,” he said, “China does not back down from its nine-dash line, which others including Vietnam and Indonesia, do not recognize.”

“Coordinated patrols can be one of those initiatives, which can start with two ASEAN countries, like Indonesia and Vietnam, before expanding it to others,” Supriyanto told RFA.

Vietnamese analyst Nguyen The Phuong, however, casted doubt on the idea.

“Vietnam until now has been very reluctant on joining any joint patrol with other countries, so I don't think that approach would change anytime soon,” he said, adding that the two countries could still cooperate on other important issues such as fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

On Friday, Jokowi and his Vietnamese host Thuong witnessed the signing of a memorandum on fisheries cooperation.

Jakarta has long been complaining about illegal activities by Vietnamese fishing vessels in the waters surrounding the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea where the two countries’ claims overlap.

In December 2022, after 12 years of negotiations, Indonesia and Vietnam finally reached an agreement on the boundaries of their exclusive economic zones. Yet until now the two countries are still in the process of finalizing the implementing arrangements and the agreed boundary demarcation has not been made public.

“If the agreement is really final, then the two sides should publish the map,” said Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto. “I guess they have not published it due to concerns of provoking China like the Malaysia-Vietnam joint submission of continental shelf did in May 2009.”

Just one day after the joint submission of Malaysia and Vietnam to the U.N., China filed a formal communication stating that the joint submission seriously infringed China’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea.

“In this case, not publishing the map is one of the ways to avoid actions that may further complicate the situation,” said the Indonesian scholar.

“The way I see it, however, this plays directly into the Chinese playbook of keeping it low and subtle while Beijing persuades and pressures other claimants and non-claimants alike to accommodate its nine-dash line,” he added.

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

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Indonesian president arrives in hanoi, beginning state visit to vietnam.

The Indonesian leader was accompanied by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of state-owned enterprises Erick Thohir, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, Chief of the Presidential Staff Office Moeldoko, member of the Presidential Advisory Council Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto Soeherman and Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi.

They were welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi by Chairman of the Presidential Office of Vietnam Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong.

This is the second time Indonesian President Widodo has made a state visit to Vietnam, after the first in September 2018.

Vietnam and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1955 and upgraded ties to comprehensive partnership in 2003, and strategic partnership 10 years later. Vietnam is Indonesia's only stratetic partner in ASEAN.

Within the bloc, Indonesia is Vietnam's third largest trade partner and Vietnam Indonesia's fourth largest.

Bilateral trade turnover reached US$12.6 billion in the first 11 months last year, as the countries aimed to raise annual trade revenues to $15 billion.

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo begins his visit to Vietnam

On the afternoon of January 11, Indonesian President Joko Widodo's special plane arrived at Noi Bai airport, starting a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong.

Head of the Office of the President Le Khanh Hai welcomes Indonesian President Joko Widodo - Photo: VNA

Welcoming Indonesian President Joko Widodo and the delegation at Noi Bai airport were Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc.

There was also Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong and a number of officials from units of the President's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi and a number of officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam also welcomed the delegation.

Participating in the high-ranking Indonesian delegation were Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, and Minister of Seas and Fisheries Sakti Wahyu Trenggono.

Also present were Chief of Staff of the Presidential Palace Moeldoko, member of the President's Advisory Council, Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto Soeherman and Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi.

Within the framework of the visit, tomorrow January 12, Indonesian President Joko Widodo will attend a state welcome ceremony chaired by President Vo Van Thuong. The two leaders will then hold talks, witness the signing ceremony and exchange a number of cooperation documents before meeting the press.

The Indonesian leader is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

During his three-day stay in Vietnam, Mr. Joko Widodo will also have a number of other activities with Vietnamese leaders such as attending a martial arts performance program with President Vo Van Thuong, and meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. number of typical enterprises in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo received a welcome bouquet of flowers upon arriving at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of January 11 - Photo: TTXVN

This is the second state visit to Vietnam by President Joko Widodo (the first visit was in 2018).

The trip took place in the context of Vietnam - Indonesia relations making many progresses.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press conference on the afternoon of January 11, spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said Vietnam is Indonesia's only strategic partner in ASEAN.

Regarding trade, Indonesia is currently Vietnam's 3rd largest trading partner in ASEAN, and Vietnam is Indonesia's 4th largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Ms. Hang affirmed that President Widodo's visit is proof that Vietnam is consistent in valuing relations with neighboring countries, including ASEAN.

Talking about the relationship between the two countries with the Vietnamese press before the visit, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi expressed hope that the two countries "can soon upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership".

Because according to him, this step will demonstrate the two countries' strong commitment to more effective cooperation and opening up new opportunities.

Indonesia currently has 119 projects in Vietnam

By the end of November 11, Vietnam - Indonesia trade turnover reached about 2023 billion USD. The two countries aim to achieve a more balanced turnover of 12,6 billion USD.

Regarding investment, as of September 9, Indonesia has 2023 projects worth more than 119 million USD, focusing on the fields of processing industry, manufacturing, accommodation and food services.

Vietnam has 17 investment projects in Indonesia with a total registered capital of 59 million USD, focusing on the fields of commerce, information technology, agriculture, and industry.

Indonesia is one of the regional countries with the earliest security and defense relations with us, establishing a military attache office since 1964.

The two countries regularly exchange defense and security delegations and sign a number of bilateral defense cooperation agreements, actively participating in activities within the ASEAN framework.

Every year, Indonesia provides Vietnam with a number of short-term, medium-term and long-term scholarships in the fields of education, culture, language... By the end of October 10, there were more than 2023 Indonesian tourists arriving. Vietnam

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Vietnamese President’s visit to Indonesia marks new milestone in bilateral ties

Both countries are eyeing partnership in areas like agriculture, fisheries, energy, aviation, culture, education-training, tourism and electric vehicles.

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Veeramalla Anjaiah, senior researcher at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) in Indonesia. VNA/VNS Photo

December 21, 2022

JAKARTA — Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc’s state visit to Indonesia will mark a new milestone in the unique and long relationship between the two countries, Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior researcher at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) in Indonesia, has said.

Talking with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s resident reporters in Jakarta ahead the visit to Indonesia from December 21-23, the researcher said that in the fast changing world, both Indonesia and Việt Nam are looking for new approaches and ways to deepen their cooperation and friendship to ensure peace, stability and economic development in the region.

Veeramalla, who is also a senior journalist of the Jakarta Post and author of prestigious studies on regional issues, said: “The friendship between both countries is solid and very old. They are not only very good, old friends, maritime neighbours but also strategic partners. Việt Nam is a trusted friend of Indonesia.”

According to the scholar, during the visit, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President Phúc are scheduled to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations, recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in the East Sea and several other regional as well as international issues.

The two leaders will also discuss ways and means to boost bilateral trade and expand cooperation in many fields. They will discuss investment opportunities in both countries and ways to promote people-to-people links through tourism.

They may also discuss the progress of bilateral negotiations about exclusive economic zone (EEZ) boundary and Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship.

The two leaders will review the strategic partnership between the countries, which will be 10 years-old next year, Veeramalla said, adding that he expected after the visit of President Phúc, the strategic relations between the two countries will reach new heights.

“I expect that both leaders will consider to enhance the existing strategic partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP),” he said.

According to the researcher, Indonesia-Việt Nam relations recently witnessed new development steps. In July this year, the foreign ministers of Việt Nam and Indonesia attended the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation in Jakarta and reviewed the progress of Plan of Action for the 2019-23 period for their strategic partnership. Both ministers agreed to expedite the finalisation of the Plan of Action for 2024-28 as a guidance for bilateral cooperation going forward to further solidify their partnership. The two countries set a new trade target of US$15 billion by 2028.

Indonesia and Việt Nam have agreed to promote the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels, reduce barriers in trade and investment, signing at an early date a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral rice cooperation for the next four years, remove obstacles to create favourable conditions for cooperation in fields of fisheries, high technology and digital economy.

Indonesia and Việt Nam signed the Defence Cooperation Agreement in 2010 and the Declaration on Joint Vision on Defence Cooperation or Joint Vision Statement for 2017-2022 in 2017. They are planning to strengthen defence cooperation in joint production and capacity building between the defence industries of two countries.

The two countries are currently negotiating an MoU on Combating Illicit Narcotic Trafficking and an MoU on Counter-terrorism.

Veeramalla emphaised that the close friendship among the leaders is the key to the relationship between Việt Nam and Indonesia. Last year, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính visited Indonesia and held talks with President Widodo.

In August 2022, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Nguyễn Phú Trọng held a telephone conversation with President Widodo. The Party chief proposed that both countries cement their relations and deepen economic cooperation and cooperation in defence and security.

In November 2022, PM Chinh had a bilateral meeting with President Widodo on the sidelines of the 2022 ASEAN Summits in Phnom Penh.

Talking about potential and opportunities for the two countries’ cooperation in the future, Veeramalla said that with its $1.36 trillion economy (GDP) and 280.77 million population and vast natural resources, Indonesia is undoubtedly a promising and dynamic country.

Meanwhile, Việt Nam with a population of over 99 million, is Southeast Asia’s manufacturing hub, having a total trade turnover of $668.54 billion in 2021, which is expected to reach $780 billion in 2022.

Việt Nam has recorded an impressive GDP growth during the first three quarters of this year despite of COVID-19 and the threat of global recession.

Both countries have huge potential to cooperate with each other in various areas such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, tourism, education, culture and defence.

As both Indonesia and Việt Nam are key players in the ASEAN region, they have similar perceptions about achieving a common goal of ASEAN community and maintaining peace and security in the region, especially in the East Sea.

He added that last year both countries agreed to maintain ASEAN’s shared positions on the East Sea issue, effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and early conclude negotiation on an efficient and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Both nations have similar perceptions about various global issues such as climate change, Russia-Ukraine conflict, peace, stability, inflation and work closely at various international organisations, the scholar added. VNS

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THE VOICE OF VIETNAM - VOV World

Indonesia president's vietnam visit opens opportunities to upgrade ties, says ambassador.

Huong Tra -  

(VOVWORLD) -Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s state visit to Vietnam from Thursday will open up opportunities for bilateral cooperation and for leaders of both sides to discuss upgrading ties, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi told a VOV reporter.

“I am so pleased that the President of Indonesia revisits Vietnam, this time a state visit after his previous visit in 2018. The trip is timely as the two countries continue to develop rapidly and our economies have almost fully recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic. I think this visit will open the door for broader cooperation between the two countries in many fields. And of course, the two ASEAN member countries continue to work together to build a strong ASEAN regionally and globally,” the ambassador said. 

According to Denny Abdi, in 2022, bilateral trade turnover hit an impressive 14.2 billion USD and the target of 15 billion USD by 2028 is very promising.

Since Vietnam and Indonesia signed a strategic partnership in 2013, the two countries have been witnessing achievements in all fields from politics, economics, security and defense to socio-culture. The Ambassador said that during the upcoming visit, the two countries’ leaders will discuss efforts and commitments to make their strategic partnership stronger and more comprehensive.

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Vietnam president off to Indonesia for state visit

Wednesday, 21 Dec 2022

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President Nguyen Xuan Phuc leaves Hanoi on Wednesday, starting a three-day State visit to Indonesia. — VNA/VNS

HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and a high-ranking delegation from Vietnam left Hanoi on Wednesday (Dec 21) to pay a three-day State visit to Indonesia at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Prominent among his entourage is Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

This is the first trip to the country by a key Vietnamese leader after the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam and also the first by a Vietnamese President over the past nine years, as the two nations are preparing for the 10th founding anniversary of strategic partnership.

It is expected to strengthen political trust and deepen multifaceted cooperation, thus developing bilateral relations in an increasingly practical and effective manner.

Vietnam and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1955 and set up the strategic partnership in 2013.

The trip is expected to create new opportunities for Vietnam-Indonesia relations, particularly bilateral trade which is expected to reach US$15 billion by 2028.

According to the Asian-Africa Market Department under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Vietnam-Indonesia trade revenue has seen positive growth, from $5.5 billion in 2015 to $11.5 billion in 2021.

In the first 11 months of this year, it reached $12.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 25 per cent, and is expected to reach $14 billion by the end of this year.

Notably, Vietnamese processed and manufactured goods exported to Indonesia see the highest export value which accounts for over 60 per cent of Vietnam's total export turnover to Indonesia.

Vietnam mainly exports to Indonesia machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts; computers, electronic products, and components; phones and accessories; means of transport and spare parts; other common metals and products; and textiles.

Tags / Keywords: Vietnam , Indonesia , visit , Nguyen Xuan Phuc , visit

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FACT SHEET: President Joseph R. Biden and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong Announce the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

During a historic state visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, President Joseph R. Biden and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong elevated U.S.‐Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, renewing the strength and dynamism of the U.S.‐Vietnam relationship as both countries work together to achieve our shared goals of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

The unprecedented and momentous elevation of ties between the two countries, moving from a Comprehensive Partnership established in 2013 to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, was the result of intense efforts by both governments to establish and build mutual understanding and to chart a forward-looking path toward the opportunities and challenges in a rapidly-evolving world. To support our shared vision for broader bilateral cooperation, deeper institutional ties, and more extensive and innovative economic engagement, including in support of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), the United States, in partnership and collaboration with the government and people of Vietnam, is expanding engagement and announcing new initiatives as outlined below.

INVESTING IN THE INNOVATION ECONOMY, COOPERATING IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

As innovation changes the landscape of the global economy, the United States and Vietnam are deepening cooperation on critical and emerging technology to increase the prosperity for our people—and for people across the Indo-Pacific region.  During his trip, President Biden and Secretary Blinken will convene a U.S.-Vietnam Innovation and Investment Summit with U.S. and Vietnamese industry leaders—alongside Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Minister Nguyen Chi Dung—to discuss priorities for expanding technology and economic cooperation, including Vietnamese investments in the United States.  The United States will announce an ambitious set of new initiatives to propel the partnership into the future, including:

• New Semiconductor Partnership to Support Resilient Semiconductor Supply Chains for U.S. Industry, Consumers, and Workers:   The United States recognizes Vietnam’s potential to play a critical role in building resilient semiconductor supply chains, particularly to expand capacity in reliable partners where it cannot be re-shored to the United States and further promote manufacturing and industry development at home under the U.S. CHIPS Act.   A newly-signed Memorandum of Cooperation on Semiconductor Supply Chains, Workforce and Ecosystem Development will formalize this bilateral partnership to expand the capacity of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam, in support of U.S. industry.  Under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund (“ITSI” Fund), created by the CHIPS Act of 2022, the United States will partner with Vietnam to further develop Vietnam’s current semiconductor ecosystem, regulatory framework, and workforce and infrastructure needs.  
• Establishing Workforce Development Initiatives to Support Semiconductor Capacity in the United States:  The United States and Vietnam announce the launch of comprehensive workforce development initiatives in Vietnam that jointly develop hands-on teaching labs and training courses for semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging.  The U.S. government will provide initial seed funding of $2 million to launch the initiatives, in conjunction with future support from the Government of Vietnam and the private sector.  The effort will support the expansion of good jobs for the American middle class for work further up the semiconductor industry value chain.    
• Developing Electronics & Leading Technology Advancement Partnerships (DELTA) Network:   The United States and Vietnam intend to launch a DELTA network with key regional governments and industry entities to bridge and coordinate technology strategies with like-minded partners that share our commitment to building secure and resilient technology supply chains.  The DELTA Network will promote talent cultivation, policy coordination, and sector efficiencies in the manufacture of electronic components, against the backdrop of regional trends.  
• Vietnam-U.S. Science and Technology Agreement for Research:  The United States and Vietnam intend to expand bilateral joint research through the Vietnam-U.S. Science and Technology Agreement for Research (VUSTAR).  VUSTAR will identify priorities for potential collaboration in areas that include artificial intelligence, R&D and governance, health and medical science, climate science, biotechnology, and conservation.

CULTIVATING PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES:  EDUCATION AND TRAINING People-to-people ties are the foundation of our enduring partnership with Vietnam.  It is through cooperation on education and training that the United States and Vietnam have made some of the greatest gains to rebuild mutual trust and understanding.  Vietnamese students studying in United States represent the fifth-largest foreign student population, and many of these students are pursuing careers in science, technology, and engineering at community colleges, universities, and higher education institutions.  For more than 31 years, the Fulbright Program in Vietnam has connected thousands of American and Vietnamese scholars and students in fields such as climate science, business, and arts, and prepared them to be leaders in their fields.  In June 2023, the U.S.-supported Fulbright University, Vietnam’s first independent non-profit higher education institution, graduated its first undergraduate class and, with financing from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), will expand to a new campus.  After a historic, successful first year with its inaugural cohort of nine volunteers in Vietnam, the Peace Corps’ English education program, in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, looks forward to welcoming its second group of volunteers in 2023.  To expand educational cooperation as part of the bilateral upgrade in relations and to the benefit of people in both countries, the United States plans the following new programs: STEM Champions of Vietnam Initiative : New STEM-focused education initiative that targets the full spectrum of the Vietnamese education sector – from K-12 to post-graduate studies – to connect Vietnamese education and governmental institutions with their U.S. counterparts to strengthen their ability to develop future leaders in science and new technologies. Upskill Vietnam and Foster Digital Growth:  This program will enable Vietnam to unleash the potential of the digital economy to become a key driver of the country’s continued growth.  Working with Congress, USAID will provide an initial investment of $12.75 million.  The program will engage in: (1) a five-year Higher Education Policy Support project with the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) to modernize and internationalize Vietnam’s higher education sector; (2) a three-year Vietnam Digital Trade activity that facilitates digital trade and promotes private sector engagement in Vietnam; (3) new five-year Innovative Workforce Development activity that supports the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s (MPI) National Innovation Center.

DEEPENING OUR TRADE, INVESTMENT, AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

In elevating our partnership, the United States and Vietnam reaffirm a shared commitment to regional prosperity through improved economic cooperation.  In partnership with Vietnam, the United States will drive new investments through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure by strategically deploying more public capital to better mobilize financing and expertise from the private sector to scale these investments for the years to come. The United States intends to do this by: Expanding Agricultural Trade:   Building on recent announcements that market access was granted to U.S. grapefruit and Vietnamese pomelos, the two countries anticipate market access for additional agricultural products will soon follow. Increasing Access to Capital for Underserved Borrowers:   New projects by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), such as Tien Phong (TP) Commercial Joint Stock Bank ($100 million), the Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VP Bank)($300 million), and the Beacon Fund ($50 million), that expands lending opportunities to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are women-owned, women-operated, and/or climate-focused.  These efforts help address issues such as the financing gap for women entrepreneurs, support weather-related adaptation and mitigation measures, promote sustainable agriculture, and improve energy efficiency through the deployment of renewable energy sources. PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS

President Biden underscores the universality of human rights and the importance of our bilateral cooperation to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief, at home and abroad. Enhanced Commitment to Meaningful Dialogue:   The U.S.-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue is an important mechanism to discuss a wide range of human and labor rights-related issues including: freedoms of expression and association; freedom of religion or belief; rule of law and legal reform; and the rights of members of marginalized populations, including women and girls, ethnic minority groups, LGBTQI+ persons, and persons with disabilities, as well as individual cases of concern. ADVANCING CLIMATE, ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, AND HEALTH COOPERATION Climate, energy, environment, and health are all essential elements of a dynamic thriving technology-focused innovation-based society and economy.  To promote progress in these areas, the United States is expanding its collaboration with Vietnam through new projects and mechanisms: U.S – Vietnam Bilateral Climate Working Group:   The two countries will launch a new working group to coordinate bilateral climate related projects and initiatives to strengthen adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change such as the Net Zero World Program. Climate Resilient Agriculture in the Mekong Delta:   USAID will launch a new project that builds climate resilience for traditional agriculture-based economies of the Mekong Delta.  With an initial investment of $11.41 million over two years, subject to engagement with Congress, this project will support a vital region that produces roughly half of Vietnam’s total rice harvest and nearly three quarters of its fruit, aquaculture, and fisheries products. Expand Energy Storage Capacity:  The U.S. government, in collaboration with AMI AC Renewables, a Vietnamese company, and Honeywell, a U.S. company, will launch a new pilot project that develops Vietnam’s first ever battery energy storage system in Khanh Hoa Province.  This pilot project demonstrates how energy storage can help Vietnam integrate more renewable energy into its power system to meet ambitious climate goals.   Diverse and Securing Critical Mineral Supply Chains:   A bilateral Memorandum of Understanding strengthens technical cooperation to support Vietnam’s efforts to quantify its Rare Earth Elements (REE) resources and economic potential, attract quality investment for integrated REE sector development, and meet high environmental, social, and governance standards. Cooperation on Global Health Security:   A new suite of new activities that strengthen Vietnam’s core public health capacities, increase laboratories’ capabilities, improve surveillance systems, and enhance Infection Prevention and Control capacities. Advanced Care and Treatment for Cancer:   The United States intends to expand existing academic and health partnerships to train and mentor medical professionals and faculty to enhance palliative care for cancer patients. Medical Device Policy Frameworks:   U.S. Trade and Development Agency plans to host a healthcare workshop and Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) from Vietnam’s Ministry of Health to facilitate increased information sharing on best practices in synchronizing a single regulatory framework to govern all aspects of medical devices in Vietnam through the development of their first ever “Law on Medical Devices.” ADDRESSING WAR LEGACIES The United States and Vietnam have overcome a difficult past to become trusted partners.  President Biden committed to Vietnamese government leaders our resolve and unwavering cooperation in our collective pursuit to continue addressing war legacy issues. The U.S. government is dedicated to supporting the Vietnamese in developing a technology-led system for identification of remains from the war.  An interagency effort intends to extend archival research to help identify locations of Vietnamese missing or fallen individuals, as well as cutting-edge DNA technology, including the transfer of expertise and equipment to Vietnamese laboratories.  The United States is expanding the following efforts: Advancing our Commitment to Complete Dioxin Remediation at Bien Hoa : The United States Government announces a new step toward completing the dioxin remediation project at the Bien Hoa Air Base Area, in accordance with the project Master Plan.  The United States and Vietnam signed an amended bilateral partnership agreement, raising the ceiling of our existing agreement from $183 million to $300 million, and expands the agreement to cover implementation of the project until 2028.  With this expanded agreement, the United States plans to make available an additional $55 million for the Project in the next year, subject to engagement with Congress, with additional investments in the future from both USAID and the Department of Defense (DOD). Supporting Persons with Disabilities:   USAID will expand their essential health and social service programs that support persons with disabilities into two new provinces Bac Lieu and Ca Mau, thus raising the number of supported provinces to 10. Scientific Training for the Vietnamese Office for Seeking Missing Persons:   The United States seeks to increase scientific training and technology support and exchanges offered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii, as well as on-site in Hanoi. Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Activities:   The United States will provide an additional $25 million to further UXO clearance and tracking activities to the Vietnam National Mine Center in Central Vietnam.  The United States’ long-standing commitment to this effort totals over $230 million in UXO since 1993. BOLSTERING OUR SECURITY THROUGH ENHANCED COOPERATION In deepening our bilateral security cooperation, the United States-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will also enhance the collective security of the region.  The United States is announcing new programs and equipment donations worth $8.9 million to build Vietnamese capacity to fight regional and international transnational crime.  These programs include improving maritime domain awareness, port facility security, cargo security, and building Vietnam’s ability to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The United States and Vietnam have enhanced bilateral engagement on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) to address new and emerging trafficking trends, including support to combat TIP, child sexual exploitation, and the growing issue of cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia.  REINFORCING OUR BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS TIES We welcome the progress of U.S. and Vietnamese businesses moving ahead with new and expanded initiatives that will increase trade and commerce between our two countries.  Some examples include: Expanding Commerce in the Aviation Industry:   Boeing and Vietnam Airlines will sign a multi-billion-dollar proposal acceptance to purchase 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that will benefit both countries by supporting U.S. manufacturing jobs and providing world-class aircraft to support Vietnam’s growing travel and tourism industry as they aspire to become a leading aviation hub.  This deal is will support over 33,000 direct and indirect jobs across the United States. Strengthening Semiconductor Supply Chains:   Arizona-based Amkor Technology will announce the commencement of operations at its state-of-the art factory in Bac Ninh Province in October 2023.  Total investment for the project is $1.6 billion.  California-based Synopsys is launching a semiconductor design and incubation center in collaboration with Saigon Hi-Tech Park.  California-based Marvell will announce that it will establish a world class semiconductor design center in Ho Chi Minh City. Furthering Technology Partnerships :  Microsoft and Trusting Social will announce an agreement to develop a generative AI-based solution tailored for Vietnam and emerging markets.  NVIDIA is partnering with FPT, Viettel, and VinGroup to deploy AI in the cloud, automotive, and healthcare industries.  Meta Platforms and the Vietnam National Innovation Center will announce the Vietnam Innovation Challenge, a program to promote digital transformation among small and medium enterprises. Boosting Travel, Transport, Tourism:   VinFast continues to progress on the construction of its $4 billion electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility in North Carolina. 3M concluded an agreement with Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport to improve traffic safety.  New York-based Nobu Hospitality will announce a partnership with Viet Capital Real Estate (CVRE) to bring the first ever Nobu hotel, residences, and restaurant to Vietnam.  Enhancing Strategic Port and Energy Infrastructure:   Seattle-based port operator SSA Marine and Vietnamese private company Gemadept will announce their intent to collaborate on strategic port projects in southern Vietnam, including their joint interest in developing the proposed $6.7 billion dollar Cai Mep Ha Logistics Center. Promoting Climate Resilience and Innovation:  Massachusetts-based Australis Aquaculture will sign an MOU with Khanh Hoa Province to invest an additional $100 million to expand its sustainable aquaculture operations in Van Phong Bay. Strengthening Financial Services and Capital Markets:   United Beacon Asia Media will launch the inaugural issue of Bloomberg BusinessWeek Vietnam in October 2023.  VNG filed for an Initial Public Offering on the Nasdaq, representing the first Vietnamese technology company to list in the United States, and one of several Vietnamese companies looking to access U.S. capital markets to fuel growth and innovation.  Crane Currency has signed an MoU with Vietnam-based Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer Co. Ltd. to help the State Bank of Vietnam secure Vietnam’s next generation of bank notes.

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Apple CEO says company will 'look at' manufacturing in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company will “look at” manufacturing in Indonesia as he met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday.

“We talked about the president’s desire to see manufacturing in the country, and it’s something that we will look at,” Cook told reporters after the meeting.

Widodo’s administration has worked for years to bring manufacturing to the country to power economic development, while Apple is seeking to diversify its supply chains away from China, where most of its smartphones and tablets are assembled.

The company began moving some production to countries like Vietnam, and more recently India , after shutdowns to fight COVID-19 in China repeatedly disrupted the company’s shipments .

“I think the investment ability in Indonesia is endless. I think that, there is a lot of great places to invest, and we’re investing. We believe in the country,” Cook said.

The previous day, Cook met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, where he said Apple plans to invest more in Vietnam and increase spending on suppliers in the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub.

“Given the slowing Chinese economy as well as the Chinese government’s ongoing efforts to squeeze out foreign companies and replace them with domestic brands, Apple wants alternatives for manufacturing,” said Chris Miller, an associate professor at Tufts University whose work focuses on technology and geopolitics.

“It has already invested more in India and Vietnam, but it is likely looking at other partners in South East Asia to additional manufacturing and assembly operations,” Miller said.

Cook’s visit to Indonesia came after Apple announced its fourth Apple Developer Academy in the country, to be located in Bali. The company first launched the program to train app developers in Indonesia in 2018, in the capital Jakarta.

Apple has no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, but the company says it has invested 1.6 trillion rupiah ($99 million) in its app developer ecosystem in the country.

Widodo’s government has sought to leverage the country’s reserves of nickel and other raw materials to bring in manufacturing, banning export of raw commodities such as nickel and bauxite to oblige companies to build refineries domestically.

After the meeting with Widodo, Cook also met Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto, who is currently defense minister, in Jakarta. He’s set to take power in October.

Indonesia’s minister of communication and information, Budi Arie Setiadi, said Wednesday that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella would visit Indonesia at the end of April. ___

Associated Press writers Victoria Milko in Jakarta and Zen Soo in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

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What did Tim Cook's SEA visit tell us?

Credit: AFP

Apple CEO Tim Cook recently concluded his most extensive Southeast Asia (SEA) tour in years, visiting Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore from April 15-19.

While the visits were brief, his meetings with the government leaders of these countries highlighted the purpose of this visit: to seek new growth markets and manufacturing sites to offset Apple's ongoing struggles in China.

Cook's X (formerly Twitter) account has painted the trip as one where he met with local content creators and communities, but media reports pointed out that Cook has repeatedly stressed the SEA region's importance as both a market and emergent manufacturing base. In meetings with government leaders, Cook discussed furthering collaboration between Apple and their respective countries, ranging from additional investments for manufacturing to AI talent cultivation.

Meeting government leaders

The first stop of Cook's trip was to Vietnam, where he met with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính . Pham pointed out that Apple has already created over 200,000 job opportunities in Vietnam in recent years. Cook stated that there will be increased cooperation with Vietnam, including buying more components and accessories from Vietnam's suppliers, a big boost to the country's goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub. Apple claimed it has invested approximately US$15.8 billion in the Vietnamese supply chain since 2019.

Cook's next stop was in Indonesia, where he met with President Joko Widodo , popularly known as "Jokowi." Cook stated that they "talked about the president's desire to see manufacturing in the country," and has referred to the investment ability in Indonesia as "endless." The meeting with Cook is part of Jokowi's efforts to shift global manufacturing supply chains into Indonesia amidst geopolitical tensions.

The country has already secured investments from automakers Hyundai and BYD. Besides Cook, Jokowi also met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk in 2022 and may meet Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at the end of this month.

Cook's last stop on his trip was to Singapore, where he met Prime Minister-elect Lawrence Wong and his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong (Update: Lee couldn't attend the meeting due to catching the flu ). Apple's relationship with Singapore runs deep, dating back to more than 40 years ago when Singapore manufactured Apple II PCs in the 1980s. Over the decades, Singapore has evolved to a point where it now serves as a key hub for Apple in the Asia-Pacific region.

Right before the meeting with Wong, Apple announced on its website that it plans to invest US$250 million to expand its Ang Mo Kio campus, with a focus on expanding the AI talent pool. The company stated that it already employs more than 3,600 people in Singapore and the expansion "will provide more space for new roles in AI and other functions." In the statement, Cook referred to Singapore as "truly a one-of-a-kind place," and that they "can't wait for many more decades of innovation to come."

Struggles in China and geopolitical concerns

Cook's visit highlighted the company's growing emphasis on the SEA region, and it is largely due to the company's sluggish performance in the Chinese market and growing geopolitical tensions between China and the US.

Apple's reliance on China has never been a secret, both as one of its largest foreign markets and its primary manufacturing/assembly site where its devices are produced. However, the company's biggest money maker, the iPhone, has been struggling in the Chinese market. According to Bloomberg , iPhone shipments in the Chinese market saw a 19% YoY decrease in the first quarter of 2024, the steepest for Apple since the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.

One of the factors contributing to the decline is the return of Huawei in the high-end smartphone market, which was further exacerbated by geopolitics as the Chinese government bans the use of iPhones in government agencies and state-owned companies. This ban gave domestic brands like Huawei another boost in prospects and cast further uncertainty on Apple's prospects in China.

To offset its struggles in China, Apple has been seeking out other markets. Among them is India, which has recently replaced China as the most populated country in the world. Tim Cook met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 as the company began to expand and shift some of its manufacturing to India. A recent report from Bloomberg stated that Apple is already assembling around 1 in 7 of its iPhones in India, totaling an output of US$14 billion.

Following the conclusion of another highly-publicized trip and meetings with government leaders by Tim Cook, it's likely safe to assume that the SEA region will undergo a similar increase in investments and attention from Apple in its quest to maintain growth without relying too much on the fickle market that is China.

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