President Truong Tan Sang (R) greets President of Japan's House of Councilors Yamazaki Masaaki (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - President of Japan's House of Councilors Yamazaki Masaaki pledged to make more contributions to the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan while meeting with President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on December 8.
The upper house leader said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s selection of Vietnam as the first leg of his overseas trips after taking office in 2013 affirmed Vietnam’s important role in Japan’s diplomatic strategy and elevated the bilateral strategic partnership.
He also highlighted the State-level visit to Japan by President Truong Tan Sang in 2014 as a significant contribution to the growing cooperative relations between the two countries.
He noted that more than 100,000 Vietnamese studying and working in Japan, up 20 percent over the past two years are creating a new “Dong Du” movement. The “Dong Du” movement, initiated by Phan Boi Chau in early 20th century, encouraged hundreds of Vietnamese students to study in Japan in hope that they could help reform the country after their returns.
Meanwhile, more and more Japanese tourists are spending their vacations in Vietnam, he added.
President Yamazaki Masaaki said he was delighted at the strong growth of Vietnam , especially the presence of infrastructure projects symbolising the friendship between the country and Japan such as Nhat Tan bridge and the road connecting with Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi .
As regards the East Sea issues, the President said Japan objects to the use of or threat to use force to change the status quo in the East Sea. Any disputes must be resolved by peaceful means and international law, he said, adding that Japan will continue to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the maritime field.
For his part, President Truong Tan Sang thanked the Japanese parliament for condemning China’s illegal placement of oil rig Haiyan Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s sovereign waters.
The State leader appreciated Japan for providing official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam and injecting foreign direct investment into the Southeast Asian country.
Particularly, scores of joint projects in education and training are receiving due attention from Japanese leaders, he said, adding that Vietnam welcomes Japanese experts who came to transfer technology and increase export standards for Vietnamese farm produce.-VNA
