Cambodia among the Laos parties, Indonesia (as co-chair with France), and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Japan promptly established diplomatic relations and ended economic restrictions with Cambodia and Vietnam. In November 1992, Tokyo offered Vietnam US$370 million in aid. Japan also took a leading role in peacekeeping activities in Cambodia. Japan's Akashi Yasushi, UN undersecretary for disarmament, was head of the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia, and Japan pledged US$3 million and even sent approximately 2,000 personnel, including members of the SDF, to participate directly in maintaining the peace. Despite the loss of a Japanese peacekeeper killed in an ambush, the force remained in Cambodia until the Cambodians were able to elect and install a government. Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995 and the establishment of the ASEAN Plus Three consultations in 1997, which include China, Japan, and South Korea. These nations share a place in the Southeast Asian economy and security framework. Although Taiwan is seen to be or apparently isolated from this deal, unofficial Vietnam-Taiwan relations had always existed. Both the Vietnam Economic and Culture Office in Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam are still acting as de facto embassies to this day, established since 1993 and 1992 respectively. In the fiscal year 1997 the Japanese government would grant an ODA loan which financed the development telecommunication systems in rural areas of Central Vietnam, this project was approved by Decision No. 447/QĐ-TTg signed by Ngô Xuân Lộc (Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam) on 1 June 1998. The development of telecommunications systems was seen as both a key economic sector and a significant factor of economic development helping both the industrialisation and modernisation of rural areas. On 30 October 1998 the Hải Vân Tunnel Construction Project was started, which was mainly financed by a loan provided by the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF). The tunnel helps connects the major cities of Huế and Đà Nẵng. 21st century In early 2000 the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) financed a Red River Bridge Construction Project (namely, the Thanh Trì Bridge) as well as the building of the southern portion of Hanoi Ring Road No. 3. The Thanh Trì Bridge at the time of its opening was the longest among seven viaducts in the Hanoi area that connect both sides of the Red River. Following the sudden death of the chairperson of