Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the newly accredited ambassadors of China, Laos and the US, in Hanoi on September 20.

At the separate reception for Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Kong Xuanyou, PM Dung affirmed that Vietnam always remembers China ’s valuable assistance during its struggle for national liberation in the past, as well as in the current period of national construction and development.

“The traditional Vietnam-China relationship, fostered by the two countries’ generations of high-ranking leaders, has become an invaluable asset of the two countries and two peoples,” he said.

Vietnam always wants together with the Chinese side to continue deepening the bilateral ties for the interests and prosperous development of the two nations, the PM added.

He suggested the two countries further strengthen cooperation in all fields and effectively implement agreements reached during the fifth session of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

He also highly valued the results of cooperation between the two countries with two-way trade expected to reach 33-35 billion USD this year.

Regarding the two countries’ different perceptions on the East Sea issue, PM Dung said this is an objective fact and the two countries have clearly understood each other’s standpoints.

He stressed that Vietnam believes that in the spirit of comradeship and fraternity and with the motto of “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and looking towards the future” and the spirit of “good neighbours, good comrades, good friends and good partners”, and based on international law, the two sides will respect each other and consistently pursue peaceful negotiations to seek an appropriate solution that is acceptable to both sides on the East Sea issue.

For his part, Ambassador Kong affirmed that fostering the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership is a consistent policy of the Chinese Party and State.

He promised that during his tenure, he will boost bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment and culture as well as make active contributions to considering and addressing the two countries’ different perceptions on the East Sea issue.

While receiving Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Somphone Sychaleun, PM Dung stressed that Vietnam attaches importance and gives high priority to consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos , considering it an invaluable asset that should be preserved and transmitted to future generations.

He suggested the ambassador coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and agencies in effectively implementing agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders, bringing practical results for both sides and contributing to regional peace and development.

At first, the two sides should boost investment and trade investment towards the goal of reaching 2 billion USD in two-way trade in 2015, as well as continue closer cooperation in security, defence, culture, education, transport and energy.

The Lao Ambassador spoke highly of PM Dung’s recent visit to Laos , saying that it helped bring the Vietnam-Laos special relationship to a new level of development.

He vowed to do his utmost to foster the bilateral ties and effectively coordinate with Vietnamese ministries and branches in realising agreements during his term of office in Vietnam .

At the reception for US Ambassador David Shear, the Vietnamese Government leader said he was pleased with positive developments in the mutually beneficial cooperation between Vietnam and the US , with two-way trade exceeding 18 billion USD in 2010 and 11 billion USD in the first half of this year.

Vietnam always creates favourable conditions for the two sides to boost trade and investment cooperation, he affirmed.

The PM emphasised strong developments in the bilateral education and training cooperation, saying that more than 13,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the US .

He suggested the US side continue offering favourable conditions to Vietnamese students who aspire to pursue their studies in the US .

The US Ambassador said that during his term, top priority will be given tot boosting economic ties between the two countries and more efforts will be made to step up cooperation in education and training.

The US always supports Vietnam’s negotiations for membership to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), in order to help strengthen stability and security in the region, he noted./.