Indonesia and Vietnam discuss security, trade

Fruitful meetup: Jokowi (left) and Thuong waving during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. — AFP

THE leaders of Indonesia and Vietnam highlighted security in the South China Sea and investments in Indonesia by electric vehicle maker VinFast in joint statements after a meeting as President Joko Widodo visited Hanoi.

The two South-East Asian countries are strengthening their ties with corporate investments, more trade and closer cooperation on boosting security in the contested South China Sea amid tensions with Beijing.