The welcome ceremony for two Japanese training ships (Source: VNA)Khanh Hoa (VNA) – Two training ships of the Japanese maritime self-defence force with 500 crew members aboard anchored at Cam Ranh International Port in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on April 12 to start a four-day visit to Vietnam.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Fukada Hiroshi read out a letter from Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani Gen sent to the Vietnam Ministry of National Defence, Vietnam People’s Navy and the provincial People’s Committee, commending Cam Ranh International Port as the best of its kind in the region.
The port, which has been recently put into operation in Cam Ranh Bay, holds a significant and favourable position, the letter said, adding that it is expected to bring in huge benefits when developed into a stable logistical services supplier for military and civil ships from countries participating in international cooperation activities.
The Japanese Defence Minister expressed his belief that the port will make remarkable contributions to peace and stability in the East Sea as well as in the region and beyond.
During their stay in Vietnam, the Japanese guests are scheduled to meet with the High Command of the Naval Zone 4 and leaders of the Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee.
The two sides will also hold sports and art exchanges.
During the visit to Japan by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2015 and to Vietnam by Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani Gen in November 2015, the two sides agreed to further enhance bilateral defence collaboration.
The visit of the Japanese ships JS Ariake and JS Setogiri aims to realise the contents of cooperation reached by the leaders of the two countries’ Parties, States and Defence Ministries.
It is also taking place within the context of thriving relations, particularly in defence, between Vietnam and Japan in the framework of a newly developing bilateral strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.-VNA
