National Day celebrated in China, France

Celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2) have been held in China and France.

At a meeting organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in China on August 31, Ambassador Nguyen Van Tho recounted the day when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) 70 years ago.

Highlighting Vietnam as an active and responsible member of the international community, the diplomat said the country persistently pursues its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, and global integration.

Vietnam is willing to be a friend and a trustworthy partner of all countries on the basis of friendship, cooperation and mutual development, he said.

Tho also emphasised the stable, healthy and long-term development of its relations with China as one of the top priorities in the country’s foreign policy.

He said the two countries’ high-ranking leaders have maintained exchanges and reached many important agreements and common perceptions to promote pragmatic cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment and transport infrastructure.

Participants at the event were treated to art performances by Vietnamese artists.

On this occasion, former Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Li Jiazhong told a Vietnam News Agency correspondent that he believes the two countries will develop together, bringing a better life to their people and contributing to development and prosperity of the region and the world.

Earlier, the Vietnam Culture Centre in Paris held a meeting to mark the historic events on August 29.

The centre’s Director, Nguyen Thanh Vuong, highlighted the role of culture in national protection and construction, which he said is equal to the role played by politics and economy.

Ambassador Nguyen Ngoc Son said Paris was the first place where President Ho Chi Minh embarked on the path to national salvation. That’s why Paris was selected to house one of the two first culture centres of Vietnam in the world, he noted.

On behalf of the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the centre presented certificates of merit to individuals and collectives to honour their contributions to introducing Vietnamese culture in France.-VNA