Beijing (VNA) – The passing of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a great loss for Vietnam’s reform and door-opening efforts, Prof. Miliang, Director of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies and Dean of the Law School of Beijing Foreign Studies University, has said.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in China, the Chinese scholar expressed grief at the Vietnamese Party leader’s passing, stating that the Communist Party and the people of China have lost a good friend, a good comrade, and a good brother, while the Party and people of Vietnam have lost an excellent leader.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was not only an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese Party and nation, but also a leader greatly admired by the Chinese people.
During his more than 10 years as the General Secretary, he made significant contributions to the building of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and in the fight against corruption, thus promoting integrity and improving the Party's prestige and leadership, he said.
The Chinese scholar also highlighted huge contributions by the deceased to Vietnam’s renewal process, saying that as the Party General Secretary, the National Assembly Chairman, and the President, comrade Nguyen Phu Trong proactively promoted Vietnam's integration into the global community, and cooperation between the Southeast Asian nation and countries around the world.
Under the leadership of Trong, Vietnam's economic development has recorded remarkable progress as the country has been among the countries with high economic growth for 10 consecutive years, the living standards of the Vietnamese people improved significantly, and the happiness index become among the highest in the world.
Miliang also underlined General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s significant contributions to the development of relations between the two parties and states of China and Vietnam, noting that under the Party chief’s leadership, economic and trade relations between the two countries have developed rapidly.
Vietnam became China's largest trade partner in ASEAN. The political, economic, and cultural exchanges between the two sides have also been intensified, he added.
Recalling the memory of meeting General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his visit to China in January 2017, Prof. Miliang described the Vietnamese leader as a kindhearted leader greatly respected by many people. The scholar said even though seven years have passed, every detail of that meeting is still fresh in his memory.
Meanwhile, Kwon Seong Taek, Chairman of the Korea – Vietnam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA), highly valued General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s contributions to Vietnam’s foreign policy strategy, maintaining and developing culture, preserving the national great solidarity, and building and developing the Vietnamese personality.
According to Kwon, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong worked in humanities, literature, and press, which is quite rare among world leaders. He remarked that, perhaps due to his background in the humanities, the policies and strategies he initiated were all fundamentally centered on culture.
Another special aspect is that Vietnam's cultural policy always preserves and maintains traditional values while being open and receptive to global interaction and exchange, he said, adding that alongside economic development, cultural development policies are always pursued in tandem.
He expressed his belief that similar to the RoK culture, it is now time for Vietnamese culture to make an impact on the world.
Kwon also highlighted General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's role in developing relations between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, especially since the Vietnamese Party leader began his term in 2011 when the relationship between the two countries grew significantly, which was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022.
Economic cooperation, which is the key aspect of the bilateral relationship, has continuously developed, alongside with increased cooperation in culture, education, people-to-people exchanges, and many other areas.
He underlined the prominent role of the Party chief in promoting the RoK – Vietnam relations to a high and positive level like it is today, saying that the principles of the “bamboo diplomacy” policy initiated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong have been reflected in Vietnam's diplomatic policy towards the RoK.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency in Tokyo, Prof. Furuta Motoo, Rector of Vietnam-Japan University under Vietnam National University - Hanoi, also praised General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's contributions to the building and development of Vietnam.
The anti-corruption campaign initiated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is an indispensable effort as Vietnam has set the goal of becoming a developed country, which requires a clean government apparatus trusted by the people, he said.
With the slogan “to be friends with all countries around the world”, Vietnam quickly improved its international relations. Subsequently, with the diplomatic policy of “combining the national strength with the power of the era” and “proactively integrating into the international community and preserving the national identity”, Vietnam has been developing as a highly-trusted country in the international community, demonstrating flexible yet steadfast responses to complex international situations, he said.
Vietnam's “bamboo diplomacy” policy, which is both flexible and consistent, has greatly contributed to elevating Vietnam's position on the international stage.
Regarding General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s contributions to the development of the Vietnam - Japan relations, the professor noted that during the Party chief’s leadership, the relationship between the two countries has been increasingly developed and upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Speaking to the VNA in Indonesia, Irwan Santosa, a journalist and senior expert of Kompas research magazine, said General Secretary Trong is a leader who is close to the people, and Vietnam's success comes from the leader who always prioritises the goal of “people first”.
The fight against corruption initiated by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is very strict and effective, Santosa affirmed, saying that many high-ranking officials, including Politburo members, have been disciplined - something has never happened before in Vietnam since the start of the Doi Moi (renewal) period.
According to the Indonesian expert, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a model of integrity, and anti-corruption is an effective way to manage the country, prevent waste of money, and ensure that the people always trust the Party and the State. This is one of the key points to creating solidarity in developing the country.
The Indonesian journalist stated that Vietnam's “bamboo diplomacy” policy is very flexible in adapting to geopolitical situations, adding that this is a foreign policy rooted in the interests of the Vietnamese people.
Each leader has their own path and style, but the legacy left by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will remain long, he said, expressing his hope that the good things he left for Vietnam will continue to be upheld and followed./.
