The 4th ASEAN - China Justice Forum opens in Da Nang

Attendees included Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Internal Affairs Le Minh Tri; Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam Nguyen Van Quang; member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of China Zhang Jun; and Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Le Ngoc Quang.

The event also brought together chief justices, deputy chief justices and delegation heads from the supreme courts of ASEAN member states, ambassadors, heads of foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, and representatives of ministries, agencies and local authorities.

This marks the first time the forum has been held in an ASEAN member state, coinciding with the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN - China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Strengthening judicial cooperation

In his opening address, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court of Vietnam Nguyen Van Quang highlighted 35 years of ASEAN - China relations, noting that their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2021 had strengthened cooperation across various sectors.

He emphasized the importance of judicial cooperation in ensuring a stable, transparent legal environment amid growing economic and trade ties.

This 4^th forum continues the high-level judicial cooperation mechanism between ASEAN and China’s supreme courts, following meetings in Nanning in 2014, 2017 and 2022.

Mr. Quang said the forum offers an opportunity to share experience in handling cross-border criminal, civil and commercial cases and explore more effective cooperation mechanisms in line with national laws and international treaties.

Welcoming delegates, Secretary of the Da Nang Party Committee Le Ngoc Quang expressed his honor at hosting the forum and stressed the need for stronger judicial cooperation amid rapid advances in the digital economy, e-commerce and AI.

He highlighted Da Nang’s efforts to develop an international financial center and a free trade zone, alongside innovation and digital transformation, emphasizing the importance of a transparent business environment and modern, effective judiciary in strengthening investor confidence.

Mr. Le Ngoc Quang affirmed that Da Nang remains committed to facilitating the work of judicial agencies, advancing judicial reform and digital transformation while developing a modern, transparent and people-centered judicial system.

Notably, the city has agreed in principle to allocate nearly VND100 billion to support a digital transformation project and the development of electronic courts within its two-tier People's Court system.

In the coming years, Da Nang will continue supporting judicial agencies in accelerating digital transformation and exploring the safe, appropriate and effective application of AI.

He expressed confidence that discussions and initiatives at the forum would create new opportunities for cooperation, strengthen mutual understanding and trust among judicial institutions, and contribute to regional peace, stability and sustainable development.

Promoting substantive cooperation

Addressing the forum, Mr. Zhang Jun praised the ASEAN - China judicial cooperation mechanism and outlined four proposals for strengthening future cooperation.

First, Mr. Zhang Jun called for stronger mutual understanding based on respect for each country's judicial sovereignty and approach to the rule of law. He emphasized mutual respect, equality, trust and the principle of seeking common ground while respecting differences to promote substantive cooperation.

On cross-border risk management, he proposed closer cooperation in combating cybercrime, online fraud and online gambling, alongside improved information-sharing and coordination mechanisms.

In civil and commercial matters, he called for stronger judicial assistance mechanisms, more effective cross-border mediation and online dispute resolution, and equal protection of the legitimate rights and interests of market participants.

He also advocated greater experience-sharing in digital court development and online proceedings, while urging caution in applying AI to support judicial decision-making and emphasizing that judges must remain central to judicial ethics and decision-making.

Mr. Zhang Jun further proposed expanding high-level dialogue, judicial training, professional discussions, experience-sharing and information exchanges to enrich judicial cooperation.

Speaking at the event, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Internal Affairs Le Minh Tri said Vietnam's hosting of the forum demonstrates its proactive and responsible commitment to advancing ASEAN - China relations, consistent with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification.

Welcoming the proposals put forward by the Chinese Chief Justice, Mr. Tri emphasized that cooperation in tackling transnational crime, resolving cross-border commercial disputes, applying AI and developing digital courts would deliver practical benefits to all parties.

He reaffirmed that building a socialist rule-of-law state and advancing judicial reform remain key priorities for Vietnam's Party and State.

Vietnam regards international cooperation as an important means of improving the capabilities of judicial officials and judges while better protecting the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and businesses during international integration.

Also, Mr. Tri expressed Vietnam's desire to further deepen judicial cooperation with the Supreme People's Court of China and the courts of ASEAN countries on the basis of peace, friendship, equality and mutual benefit, contributing to stronger rule of law regionally and globally.

The 4^th ASEAN - China Justice Forum's working sessions focus on two key themes: cooperation in handling cross-border criminal cases and civil and commercial disputes in the digital era; and experience-sharing in electronic court development, the application of AI to support judicial proceedings, and future prospects.