Review on external affairs from Mar. 27-Apr.2: Vietnam–US high-level phone talks; Vietnam, China intensify all-level exchanges
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from Mar. 27 - Apr.2 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held high-level phone talks with US President Joe Biden on March 29 night (Vietnam time), 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
Leaders’ activities
On March 29, at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held high-level phone talks with US President Joe Biden. The two leaders expressed their delight at the talks that offer them an opportunity to exchange views on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership. They spoke highly of the positive and comprehensive development of the bilateral relationship over the past time, and agreed to promote, develop and deepen it, for interests of both nations, as well as peace, cooperation and development. The leaders suggested competent agencies of both sides exchange specific contents to further strengthen the relations in the time ahead. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden reiterated their invitations for mutual high-level visits. The two leaders accepted the invitations with pleasure and assigned the relevant agencies to arrange them at suitable times.
On March 31, at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received Secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liu Ning. General Secretary Trong expressed his delight at the new developments in the relations between the two Parties and the two countries over the past time. Particularly, the relationship between Guangxi and Vietnam’s border localities has seen progress after his official visit to China in October 2022. The Party General Secretary asked Guangxi and Vietnam's border provinces to take the lead in promoting cooperation in economy, trade, tourism, security-defence, and people-to-people exchange, together building a border line of peace and friendship.
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| General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets China’s Guangxi Party Secretary Liu Ning: Participants pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA) |
On the same day, receiving Mr. Luu Ninh, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged Guangxi to facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products, to China and hasten competent Chinese agencies to raise quota for Vietnamese goods in transit to a third country by China’s railway. The Prime Minister thanked Guangxi for respecting and preserving the relic site relating to President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary activities in the locality.
On March 28, at the reception for Secretary of Yunnan provincial Party Committee Wang Ning, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong highlighted the contributions of exchanges and cooperation between Vietnamese border localities and China’s Yunnan province to the development of the bilateral relations in various spheres over the past time. General Secretary Trong lauded the coordination between Vietnam’s Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces, and Yunnan in organising the third annual conference between secretaries of their provincial Party Committees, which put forth cooperation orientations and plans in the time ahead. Secretary of Yunnan provincial Party Committee Wang was in Vietnam for a visit and to co-chair a conference of party secretaries of the Vietnamese northern border provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien, and Yunnan.
On March 28, during the reception for Mr. Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the provincial People's Congress, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underlined the importance of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in Vietnam’s external policy. The Prime Minister hoped to expand mutually-beneficial cooperation focusing on making breakthroughs in economic-trade ties, road and railway transport connectivity, tourism and education. He asked Yunnan to improve the efficiency of customs clearance for goods at border gates, import more high-quality farm produce and aquatic products from Vietnam, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to join international trade fairs in Yunnan.
On March 30, Vietnamese State, Government and National Assembly (NA) leaders sent messages of congratulations to Malaysian counterparts on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Malaysia diplomatic relations (March 30, 1973-2023). President Vo Van Thuong extended greetings to Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim. Meanwhile, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent congratulatory messages to President of the Dewan Negara (upper house) Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim and Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Dato’ Johari bin Abdul. On this occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Malaysian counterpart Zambry Abdul Kadir issued a Joint Press Communique.
On March 27, hosting former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of Vietnam-Chile diplomatic relations (March 25, 1971 – 2023), President Vo Van Thuong appreciated former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s special sentiments on consolidating and promoting the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Chile. President Thuong affirmed that former Chilean President Bachelet’s visit will contribute to consolidating cooperation between peoples and especially localities of the countries. The President also lauded former Chilean President Bachelet, in her capacity as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, for her contributions to UN affairs and the international community.
On March 29, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy, highly valuing Ambassador’s activeness in helping strengthen friendship and cooperation. The Prime Minister expressed his belief that the Ambassador will contribute to improved bilateral relations, adding that the Vietnamese Government will order relevant agencies to coordinate with and assist the diplomat to fulfil his duties.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Vietnam Mohammed Ismaeil A. Dahlwy. (Photo: VNA) |
On March 27, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China Zhao Leji held online talks. The talks took place right after the first session of the 14th NPC, and it is also the first contact between key leaders of the two countries so far this year. Chairman Hue extended his congratulations to China on the success of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the first session of the 14th NPC. The two sides will continue with all-level contacts and people-to-people exchanges, promote the bilateral trade cooperation in a balanced and sustainable fashion, satisfactorily control disputes at sea, ensure peace and stability in the region, and optimise existing mechanisms to speed up collaboration across spheres.
On March 31, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang received Mr. Kim Myoung Kyu, Vice President of LG Display Company (RoK). The Deputy Prime Minister highly appreciated the investment and business efficiency of LG Group in general and LG Display Company in Vietnam in particular, which have contributed to the socio-economic development of Vietnam, at the same time deepening the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
On March 29, the 17th theoretical workshop between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in an online format, with the theme focusing on experience in social management innovation in the information age. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theory Council and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), while the Chinese side was headed by Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Head of its Publicity Department.
On March 28, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi for US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper. Both sides expressed their delight at the positive development of the bilateral relationship over the past time, particularly the regular high-level exchanges and meetings, while cooperation in economy, trade and investment has been deepened and served as the core and driving force of the ties. Two-way trade reached 123 billion USD last year. The US became Vietnam's first export market with turnover of over 100 billion USD while Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner of the US.
Activities of the Foreign Minister
On March 30, receiving Secretary of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liu Ning, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed that the two sides promote existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and programmes, expand friendship exchange between the people along the shared border, and effectively implement legal documents regarding land border and related agreements. The two sides held that the fruitful collaboration between Vietnamese localities and Guangxi is a bright spot in the bilateral relations.
On March 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held online talks with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, agreeing to intensify all-level exchanges. Foreign Minister Son congratulated the Chinese side on the success of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and affirmed that Vietnam treasures the friendly neighbourliness and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, which is the strategic selection and top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the important task of the two Foreign Ministries is to promote all levels and branches to concretize the common perception of the leaders of the two parties and countries. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to increase all-level exchanges on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership (2008-2023) in order to consolidate bilateral political trust. They will also work to boost and raise the efficiency of mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade and investment, and coordinate to effectively roll out the projects using Chinese assistance.
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| On March 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held online talks with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh) |
On March 30, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir issued a Joint Press Communique. The two Foreign Ministers assured mutual commitment to the strengthening of the bilateral Strategic Partnership and will continue to strive towards peace and prosperity in the region and indeed throughout the world.
On March 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of China’s Yunnan province Wang Ning. Foreign Minister Son asked Yunnan to boost importing agricultural and aquatic products of Vietnam's strength, coordinate to maintain smooth customs clearance at border gates, step up road and rail transport connectivity in border areas, and early resume the direct air route for passenger and cargo transport between the two sides.
On March 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Carmen Moreno Toscano who was in Vietnam from March 27-29 for an official visit and to co-chair the two Ministries’ Political Consultation. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Son affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and hopes to further deepen its traditional friendship and fine cooperation with Mexico, towards the establishment of a more suitable partnership framework in the coming time.
On March 27, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou Assomo, who was paying a visit to Vietnam. The Foreign Minister stressed UNESCO’s important role in maintaining and consolidating peace, sustainable development and prosperity of countries worldwide, and in preserving and promoting heritage and cultural values of humankind in particular.
On March 27, at a reception for former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet Jeria and a delegation from Cerro Navia district in Chile capital of Santiago, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasised Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and solidarity with friends and important partners in Latin America, including its comprehensive partnership with Chile. The Foreign Minister recommended the two sides further coordinate closely in promoting the exchange of high-level delegations, and effectively implementing such bilateral cooperation mechanisms as Free Trade Council and political consultation between the Foreign Ministries. At Foreign Minister Son’s invitation, former President Bachelet is in Vietnam from March 25 to April 3 for the celebration of the 52nd anniversary of the nations’ diplomatic relations (March 25, 1971-2023).
Bilateral activities
On March 31, the Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group held the 10th-round meetingin the Vatican. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States co-chaired the meeting. In the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, and mutual respect, the two sides discussed the Vietnam - Holy See relations and issues related to the Vietnam Catholic Church.
At the meeting, the two sides shared the view that the relations between Vietnam and the Holy See have recorded much progress in the recent past as seen in the regular meetings and consultations, high-level delegation exchanges, and frequent pastoral visits by Archbishop Marek Zalewski, Non-Resident Pontifical Representative and Special Envoy of the Holy See, to Vietnam. They also discussed and basically agreed on the working regulations for the Holy See’s Resident Representative and Resident Representative Office in Vietnam. On this occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Hang had a meeting with Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See's Relations with States, at the meeting in the Vatican on March 31, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
On March 30, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi co-chaired the fifth political consultation between the two ministries to discuss orientations to promote the bilateral Strategic Partnership in the coming time. Deputy Foreign Minister Hang affirmed Vietnam hopes to develop and deepen its Strategic Partnership with Italy, a member state with an important role in the EU. She proposed the two sides step up delegation exchanges; maintain the efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the fields of diplomacy, defence, economy and science and technology; and coordinate together in organising celebrations this year.
On March 31, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Italy Year 2023, in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations (March 23, 1973-2023), and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that Vietnam and Italy have become more and more important partners of each other in all fields, from politics - diplomacy, trade and investment to culture, tourism, and education and training, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. Italy is currently one of Vietnam's leading economic partners in Europe, while Vietnam has become Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, Deputy Foreign Minister Hang added.
On March 30, in Washington D.C., Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis co-chaired the 12th Vietnam-US Political, Security and Defence Dialogue. The two sides emphasised the importance of bilateral meetings, consultations and delegation exchanges for the process of building trust and mutual understanding, and promoting cooperation and intertwined interests between Vietnam and the US. They also affirmed that they will maintain frank, constructive and regular dialogues on controversial issues. On the occasion of the Dialogue, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc had discussions with leaders of the US Department of State, Department of Defence, and National Security Council, and some parliamentarians and advisers of the Congress, and representatives of US enterprises.
On March 29, within the framework of a working visit to Italy, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Telecommunications of the Republic of San Marino Lucca Beccari signed a Memorandum of Understanding - MOU) on enhancing political consultations. Both sides affirmed that the signing of the MoU marks a new milestone in the bilateral relationship and creates momentum to promote the Vietnam-San Marino friendship in the coming time.
On March 29, in Hanoi, Acting Director General of the European Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Do Minh Hung and Director General of the General Department of Political Affairs, Austrian Foreign Ministry Gregor Kössler co-chaired the Vietnam-Austria Political Consultation in online format.
At the invitation of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Carmen Moreno Toscano paid an official visit to Vietnam from March 27-29, and co-chaired the political consultation session between the two foreign ministries. On March 28, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Carmen Moreno Toscano co-chaired the seventh political consultation to share information on each country’s situation, agree on measures to strengthen the bilateral relations in the coming time, and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia (1973-2023), in an interview for Vietnamese media, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Zambry Abdul Kadir has expressed his satisfaction that the future of Malaysia - Vietnam relations looks very promising, and that both countries will continue to engage even more closely for greater success.
On this occasion, Chargé d'Affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh also shared views on Vietnam-Malaysia comprehensive bilateral cooperation and potential in the future.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Belgium (March 22, 1973 - 2023), Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao shared his thoughts in an interview to The World & Vietnam Report.
Multilateral activities
On March 30, addressing the United Nations General Assembly’s session on zero waste – breakthrough solution to sustainable development goals (SDGs), Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, said sustainable waste management plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, especially Goal No.12 on sustainable production and consumption and Goal No.13 on climate change response. The diplomat has called for a comprehensive and all-society approach to sustainable waste management.
On March 29, the United Nations General Assembly approved by consensus a Resolution urging the International Court of Justice the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion on the issue of climate change. The Resolution calls on the ICJ to lay out nations' obligations for protecting Earth's climate, and the legal consequences they face if they don't. The Court's opinion would be non-binding. The Resolution was submitted at the initiative of Vanuatu and the Core Group of 18 countries, including Vietnam.
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| Global multilateral approaches require for solving climate change issues: Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the United Nations (seated in the middle), hammered to adopt the Resolution. (Photo: WVR) |
On this occasion, in an interview to Vietnamese media, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vice President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, described the adoption of the resolution as particularly significant. Climate change requires a global approach based on multilateral cooperation and institutions, particularly the respect for international law and the UN Charter, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang stressed.
On March 28, on the occasion of his first visit to Vietnam, Director of UNESCO World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo expressed his belief that Vietnam is a role model in managing, preserving and promoting values of heritages and hoped that Vietnam will share its experience with other members. Director Assomo shared his experience and insights with The World & Vietnam Report. On this occasion, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to UNESCO, also shared with the World & Vietnam Report about the motivations for each "heritage diplomacy" journey to be a memorable one.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson
Last week, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang responded to Vietnam's response to Taiwan's announcement of conducting live-fire drills in the waters around Ba Binh, in the Spratly archipelago of Vietnam. On March 31, Deputy Spokesperson Hang stated that Vietnam resolutely opposes to and demands Taiwan (China) to cancel live-fire drills in the waters around Ba Binh (Itu Aba) island belonging to Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.
On March 30, concerning information on the recent discovery of foreign bodies drifting in the Taiwan Sea area, the Deputy Spokesperson said that the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei will continue to closely coordinate with Taiwanese authorities and relatives of those who are believed to be missing to carry out identity verification procedures and necessary citizen protection measures.
Other activities
On March 31, in Hanoi, the launching ceremony of the television program Hello Vietnamese and launching the contest "Searching for Vietnamese Ambassadors abroad in 2023" took place. The program was organized by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese affairs in collaboration with the Vietnam Education Publishing House, the External Affairs Television Department - Vietnam Television. The programme aims to implement the Project "Honouring the Vietnamese language in the overseas Vietnamese community between 2023 and 2030" and the Plan on Day for the Vietnamese language in 2023 approved by the Prime Minister, contributing to honouring the national language and individuals who have made contributions to preserving and spreading the Vietnamese language in the overseas Vietnamese community, as well as improving the effectiveness of Vietnamese language teaching and learning for overseas Vietnamese.
On March 29, in Hanoi, a regional workshop was held to share regional experience and global progress in overcoming the consequence of bombs and mines for peace and sustainable development. The event was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The two-day event drew about 100 delegates, including representatives from the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre, ministries, agencies, localities and Mine Action agencies from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Speaking at the opening of the Workshop, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said in Vietnam, nearly one-fifth of the land area, or about 5.6 million hectares, remain contaminated with bombs, mines and explosive ordinances.
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| From March 29-30, Regional Workshop was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa) |
On March 31, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held talks with Secretary of the Party Committee of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liu Ning and co-chaired a conference on Vietnam - China (Guangxi) trade and economic cooperation in the new era.
On March 27, Ha Giang province hosted the 3rd Annual Conference between Secretaries of provincial Party Committees of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien (Vietnam) and the Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee (China). Participants signed the Minutes of the meeting and an action plan for their pilot collaboration in sustainable poverty reduction for 2023-2025. They agreed that the 4th Conference will be held in Yunnan in the first quarter of next year.
(Source: WVR)
