PM Chinh hosted a reception for former Japanese PM Suga on January 9, during which the Vietnamese leader greatly valued the for Japanese PM for choosing Vietnam as the destination for his first foreign trip in October, 2020, immediately after he took office, as well as his role as advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance.
The Vietnamese cabinet member went on to thank the Government, people, businesses, and organisations of Japan for their co-operation and assistance, as well as engagement in Vietnamese development.
He therefore affirmed that the country always supports Japan’s role and positive contributions made to peace and development in the region and throughout the world, expressing hope that the Far East nation will continue making these contributions.
PM Chinh also hailed the efforts and directions made by former PM Suga when he led the Cabinet of Japan which helped to successfully control the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, as well as recovering and boosting socio-economic development to enhance their position and prestige in the region and throughout the world.
He used the occasion to thank the former Japanese PM, the Government, and people of Japan for providing Vietnam with more than 7.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, thereby helping the nation to overcome the most difficult time in the fight against the pandemic and go on to achieve positive results in socio-economic development in 2022.
The two sides agreed that the mutual relationship is at its prime time with high political efficiency and regular delegation exchanges, with this happening even during the COVID-19 period.
Last year witnessed the Vietnamese and Japanese PM hold four meetings, while progress was made in many agreements. Moving forward, the two countries will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, which is an important milestone marking a new development period for their intensive strategic partnership, the pair said.
PM Chinh expressed high hopes that former PM Suga will continue his support and contributions to the overall growth of Vietnam-Japan ties. He said that the two sides should strive to increase the exchange of delegations this year, while stepping up defence-security co-operation and promoting partnership in a multitude of fields. He said that he hopes Japan will assist the Vietnamese side in industrialisation and modernisation, as well as building an independent and self-reliant economy with international integration.
The Vietnamese Government chief also stated his hopes that former PM Suga will support the implementation of agreements reached between the two PMs, such as those in providing new-generation ODA to Vietnam, infrastructure development, green transition, climate change response, trade of farm produce, high technology, a green and circular economy, and human resource training.
He also underlined the necessity for the two sides to intensify people-to-people exchanges and co-operation in tourism, as well as the organization of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties this year. He thanked the Japanese side for supporting the 500,000-strong Vietnamese community residing in the Far East country.
In response, former PM Suga affirmed his special sentiments towards the nation and people of Vietnam, applauding the role of PM Chinh in promoting ties between the two sides.
He added that the Japanese side regards Vietnam as a key partner in its free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, pledging that he will continue to contribute to lifting the bilateral extensive strategic partnership to new heights.
The former PM said he hopes the two sides will continue to augment co-operation in ODA, with Japanese businesses interested in the promising Vietnamese market. He suggested that both sides should continue to promote collaboration in trade and investment, climate change response, renewable energy, and the development of the Japan-Vietnam University, as well as in the trade of farm produce, along with security-defence.
During the course of the meeting, both host and guest spent time to compare notes on regional and global issues of mutual concern, underlining the necessity of upholding the law and multilateralism in international relations for peace, stability, and co-operation in the region and the world. This is as well as ensuring peace, security, maritime and aviation safety, and freedom in the sea, along with the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law.
