PM holds phone talks with Chinese counterpart

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed their delight at the development of ties between the two Parties and countries during their phone talks on September 19.

 

Both sides vowed to realise common important perceptions reached during recent talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, toward bringing Vietnam – China ties to a new development period with higher political trust and more effective and practical cooperation.

 

On the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of National Day of China (October 1), he believed that China will fulfill the goal of building a modern, strong, democratic and civilised socialist country.

 

Wishing the upcoming 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) a success, the PM also took the occasion to thank the Chinese Government and people for providing Vietnam with millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses and medical equipment when the pandemic broke out in the country.

 

Li congratulated Vietnam on its important achievements in pandemic control and socio-economic development, especially curbing inflation and maintaining a high economic growth amid difficulties.

 

The two sides agreed to facilitate all-level visits, especially making the best preparations for high-level visits following the 20th National Congress of the CPC, deepen practical ties as well as exchanges and travelling between their people.

 

PM Chinh suggested both sides work closely together to lift two-way trade in a stable and balanced manner. He asked China to create favourable conditions for customs clearance, expand imports and step up the opening of market for Vietnamese farm produce, fully resume the operation of border gate pairs and improve the capacity of customs clearance, as well as make the best use of opportunities from multilateral free trade agreements.

 

He also proposed China enhance hi-quality investment in fields of Vietnam’s demand, deal with existing issues in joint projects, soon open more commercial flights between the two nations, work more closely with Vietnam to effectively cope with newly emerging challenges, ensure energy, food, water and cyber security and enhance the sharing of experience in stabilising macro-economy, controlling inflation and propelling growth.

 

Li suggested both sides enhance strategic connectivity, step up economic-trade-investment ties, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, maintain supply and manufacturing chains, and uphold each side’s strengths to tap the global market.

 

China is ready to resume people-to-people exchange activities, welcome Vietnamese students to return to China and increase the frequency of commercial flights between both sides, he said.

 

On territorial border issues, the two sides promised to continue effectively maintaining channels to discuss border issues on mainland and at sea, properly settle differences to maintain common peace and stability.

 

The Vietnamese PM suggested both sides continue realising three legal documents on land border between Vietnam and China; jointly maintain peace and stability, and properly handle maritime issues in the spirit of high-level common perceptions and the Vietnam – China Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea, accelerate talks about issues at sea, and settle disputes and disagreements by peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

The two leaders pledged to direct both sides to continue upholding mechanisms about negotiations on demarcation and cooperation at sea, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea together with ASEAN member states, toward reaching a practical, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

Brazil invites Vietnamese firms to attend International Coffee Week

 

Representatives of the administration of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state invited Vietnamese firms to participate in the International Coffee Week from November 16-18 and the Security & Defence Exhibition slated for November in Belo Horizonte city.

 

They offered the invitation during a working session with Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Pham Thi Kim Hoa, who paid a working visit to the state from September 11-15.

 

During the visit, Hoa paid a courtesy call on President of the Legislative Assembly of Minas Gerais Agustinho Patrus, during which both sides agreed to continue working closely together to boost trade in coffee and other key products of the two countries.

 

The ambassador was also awarded with a medal of honour in recognition of her contributions to strengthening ties with Minas Gerais state. The award ceremony was held in Diamantina city, hometown of the late Brazilian President Juscelino Kubitschek on the occasion of his 120th birthday anniversary.

 

On the occasion, Hoa also received an award presented by Minas Gerais tourism newspaper in honour of her efforts to introduce Vietnam’s tourism.

 

On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Hoa presented a decision appointing João Alexandre as Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo states, making him the first holding this position in Brazil.

 

As Director of the Juscelino Kubitschek Institute for Political and Socio-Economic Studies, he was credited for promoting multifaceted ties between Vietnam and Brazil, especially naming a major road in Minas Gerais as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which is part of the Pampulha Modern Emsemble recognised by the UNESCO as a World Heritage in 2016./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 

President hosts newly-accredited ambassadors

 

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 19 hosted separate receptions in Hanoi for Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Hungary, Australia and Luxembourg as they came to present their credentials.

 

Receiving Dutch Ambassador Kees Van Baar, President Phuc thanked the Netherlands for providing Vietnam with 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.

 

On the back of the bilateral comprehensive partnership, he asked the European nation to invest big in Vietnam’s hi-tech and seaport sectors towards raising two-way trade to 30 billion USD during the ambassador’s tenure.

 

He thanked the Netherlands for its support for Vietnam’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure and noted that Vietnam backs the Netherlands’ bid for a seat at the council for the 2024-2026 term.

 

On the occasion, he suggested the Netherlands and the European Union back Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on protecting law abidance at seas and oceans; maintaining peace, stability, freedom, safety and security of aviation and navigation in the East Sea; and peacefully settling disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 

Kees Van Baar, for his part, said water management and climate change response should be one of the priorities in their bilateral ties. He also wished to enhance bilateral trade and investment and encourage Dutch firms to operate effectively in Vietnam.

 

As 2023 marks the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, he said Dutch firms will work with Vietnam to hold seminars and conferences to share experience in climate change response. The Netherlands will also push for the EU’s lifting of a “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood, he added.

 

Meeting with Hungarian Ambassador Baloghdi Tibor, President Phuc agreed with the diplomat’s proposal to facilitate all-level visits, thus expanding all-around ties after Hungary became the first comprehensive partner of Vietnam in Central and Eastern Europe in 2018.

 

The President also hoped that Hungary will provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students and continue partnering with Vietnam in the supply of official development assistance.

 

Tibor, for his part, wished to promote high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges, including completing and screening a film on the bilateral friendship as well as boosting trade and investment cooperation.

 

In the meeting with Australian Ambassador Andrew John Lech Goledzinowski, the President expressed his delight at the debut of the Vietnam-Australia Centre in Vietnam.

 

He suggested Australia creates favourable conditions for its Vietnamese community and simplify procedures for Vietnamese students to return to the country, while reinforcing people-to-people exchanges, cooperation in climate change response, energy transition, digital economy and hi-tech agriculture.

 

President Phuc also wished that during his tenure, the ambassador would intensify bilateral collaboration in trade, investment, national defence-security, agriculture and labour, among others.

 

The State leader took this occasion to thank Australia for providing Vietnam with 22.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, becoming the second biggest donor of COVID-19 vaccines for the Southeast Asian country.

 

The ambassador said Australia wants to upgrade bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and further deepen ties in healthcare.

 

On the occasion, he conveyed the Australian Governor-General’s invitation to President Phuc to visit the country.

 

In the reception for Ambassador of Luxembourg Patrick Hemmer, President Phuc stressed that Vietnam always gives priority to its friendship and cooperation with Luxembourg in its overall ties with the European Union.

 

Vietnam wants to cooperate with Luxembourg in various fields such as green development, education-training and hi-tech, he said.

 

The President also proposed the European nation back Vietnam’s bid for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure and work closely with Vietnam to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

 

Hemmer agreed with the President’s proposal to lift two-way trade and investment ties, especially in green economy.

 

Having thanked Vietnam for its support for Luxembourg’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council in the 2022-2024 term, the ambassador said his country will back Vietnam at multilateral forums and its bid for a seat in the council for the 2023-2025 tenure./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese foreign minister attends Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Vietnamese President, paid respects to Queen Elizabeth II at her state funeral held at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19.

 

He expressed the deepest condolences to the UK on the passing of the Queen when writing in the book of condolences on behalf of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Vietnam always appreciates the Queen’s important support and contributions to strengthening the strategic partnership between Vietnam and the UK, Son wrote.

 

Son also attended a reception for representatives from nations hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on September 18 night, and another reception hosted by British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly at Westminster Abbey right after the funeral.

 

During his trip to the UK, Son also met King Charles III, new Prime Minister Lizz Truss, and a number of her cabinet’s members.

 

Conveying Vietnamese Party, State and Government leaders’ condolences to the British King and members of the Royal Family as well as the Government and people of the UK over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the minister highly spoke of the Queen’s role in the UK’s prosperous development and international reputation today.

 

He expected the Royal Family and British Government will continue backing the development of the bilateral strategic partnership with Vietnam, given that the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year.

 

Son was among more than 2,000 guests, including 500 foreign heads of states, royal family members and officials representing nearly 200 countries and territories, attending the funeral./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Many Vietnamese workers returning from Cambodia via Moc Bai Border Gate

Border guards and police in the southeastern province of Tay Ninh shook hands to handle the entry of nearly 80 Vietnamese workers who returned Vietnam from Cambodia via Moc Bai International Border Gate on September 19.

 

Most of the workers had no identity papers.

 

They are among many Vietnamese nationals attempting to return home following a large crackdown by Cambodian authorities on local casinos to prevent illegal employment. The crackdown was launched after dozens of Vietnamese workers had fled Cambodian casinos near the two countries’ shared border.

 

The border guards and police thoroughly verified the identity of each of these people before granting them entry into Vietnam. Most of them had been tricked into unlawfully entering Cambodia to work for casinos and illegal gambling entities here.

 

It is estimated that around 20-50 Vietnamese nationals have managed to return to Vietnam through Moc Bai Border Gate daily. Border guards have cooperated with local authorities to provide them with necessities and take legal steps to permit their entry into Vietnam./.

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency

China-ASEAN Expo concludes with new record of signed deals

The 19th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) wrapped up in the Chinese city of Nanning, Guangxi, on September 19 with a new record of deals signed.

 

Wei Zhaohui, Secretary General of the CAEXPO Secretariat, said that 267 international and domestic cooperation projects were signed at the expo this year, with a total investment value of more than 400 billion yuan (57 billion USD), up 37% from the previous year.

 

The 19th CAEXPO featured 88 economic and trade events held in-person and virtually. They covered a wide range of areas, including high-end metal new materials, healthcare, culture-tourism, green chemical materials and mechanical manufacturing.

 

The exhibition area reached 102,000 sq.m this year. A total of 1,653 exhibitors from 40 countries and territories took part in the event which welcomed around 25,600 visitors daily, a year-on-year increase of 19.2%.

 

Launched in 2004, CAEXPO has become a major event paving the way for enterprises from ASEAN member states to gain access to the Chinese market./

 

Source: Vietnam News Agency