Vietnamese Ambassador to US active in Hawaii

TIN LIÊN QUAN
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During his visit from September 27 to 29, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh met with Hawaii Governor David Ige, who lauded cooperation potential between his state and Vietnamese localities, particularly in economics, trade, education, renewable energy, and climate change adaptation. 

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh (L) and Hawaii Governor David Ige. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy)

Governor Ige said the Vietnamese community accounts for about 3 percent of Hawaii’s population and has contributed significantly to the development of the local economy and to Vietnam – US relations.

Ambassador Vinh, for his part, noted highlights of bilateral relations, including a visit to the US by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc last May, during which a joint statement on enhancement of the two countries’ comprehensive partnership was released.

Vietnam is working with APEC economies, including the US, to host the APEC Year 2017, the diplomat said.

He recommended his host boosting engagements between Hawaii and Vietnamese localities in trade and education and invited the governor to visit Vietnam.

Mr. Ige said he is looking forward to visiting Vietnam soon.

While in Hawaii, Ambassador Vinh visited the United States Pacific Command (PACOM) and held separated meetings with US Pacific Commander Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott Swift, and Commander of PACOM 25th Infantry Division Charles Flynn.

At the meetings, the diplomat spoke highly of the development of bilateral defence-security collaboration, with expectation that both sides continue commitments in their memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation signed in 2011 and the 2015 joint vision on defence relations.

Delegation exchanges, personnel training, dialogue consulting, as well as bilateral engagements in search and rescue missions, UN peacekeeping activities and overcoming of war consequences are among prioritised subjects, the diplomat noted.

Agreeing with his guest, Admiral Harris stated the US wants to boost cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries, particularly ASEAN member states, for peace, development as well as for ensuring safety and freedom of navigation and  overflight and the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Vietnamese Ambassador also visited the military patrol vessel CSB 8020 operated by the Vietnamese coast guard, which was being docked in Hawaii. The US Coast Guard transferred the boat to the Vietnam Coast Guard last May in a bid to help increase the body’s capacity in performing maritime law enforcement and search and rescue operations. 

Vietnam’s National Day celebrated in US, Indonesia The Vietnamese Embassy in the United States has organised a ceremony to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2).

Programme connects overseas Vietnamese students in US The Association of Vietnamese Students in the US held a cultural programme called “Vong tay nuoc My” in New York from August 18 – 20.

Documentary on Vietnamese AO victim screened at US Senate A 35-minute documentary about a Vietnamese teenage victim of Agent Orange (AO) was screened at the US Senate headquarters in Washington DC on June 28.