Vietnam continues to play a major role in the sub-region in beating COVID-19. (Source: The Diplomat) Hanoi (VNA) – Despite itslimited resources, Vietnam has supported many other nations worldwide in thefight against the COVID-19 pandemic, proving itself as a responsible member ofthe international community, especially when the country is holding the ASEANChairmanship 2020.
While being preoccupiedwith containing the coronavirus in its own territory – to some considerablesuccess thus far – Vietnam has also made efforts to raise the ASEAN flag, Hoang Thi Ha, LeadResearcher (Political & Security Affairs) at the ASEAN Studies Centre,ISEAS Yusof-Ishak Institute, Singapore, wrote in an article posted on “TheDiplomat”.
“It issued the ASEANChair’s statement on the outbreak on February 14, highlighting the urgency ofthe problem and committing to ASEAN’s collective response. The statement listedmeasures which, if implemented, could complement ASEAN member states’ nationalresponses to the epidemic,” she wrote.
Vietnam has also made efforts to raise the ASEAN flag. (Source: The Diplomat) Vietnam is trying to leadby example, contributing medical supplies to Laos and Cambodia, as well astesting kits to Indonesia, Ha noted.
Theprovision of such aid from Vietnam is not surprising and Vietnam continues toplay a major role in the sub-region including through assistance to Laos andCambodia, wrote journalist Prashanth Parameswaran, a SeniorColumnist at “The Diplomat”.
Besides the regionalnations, Vietnam also presented 650,000 face masks to six European countries,namely France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Sweden, to support their fightagainst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new coronavirusassistance highlights Vietnam-EU relations amid COVID-19, Parameswaran wrote on“The Diplomat.”
The aid illustratesHanoi’s continued willingness to assist other countries on a bilateral andmultilateral basis to the best of its abilities even as it continues to remainvigilant about managing its own coronavirus challenge at home, he added.
In addition, Vietnam also donated 200,000 antibacterial cloth face masksto the US government and people. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also presented 50,000 medical face masks to the WhiteHouse.
“By donating hundredsof thousands of face masks to its Southeast Asian neighbours and Europeancountries as well as selling protectiveequipment to the US, Vietnam has earned the gratitude and trustof world leaders,” journalist JohnPennington wrote in article posted on the “ASEAN Today.”
The “face mask diplomacy” could further boost Vietnam’s economy as well as its diplomatic standing in the region. (Source: ASEAN Today) The“face mask diplomacy” could further boostVietnam’s economy as well as its diplomatic standing in theregion, Pennington added.
"Vietnam’s handlingof the coronavirus pandemic, as well as its diplomacy amid crisis, will enableit to demonstrate its value-added to the world,” said Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the US-based RAND Corporation.
SharingGrossman’s view Prof. Alexander Vuving, at the Daniel K Inouye Asia-PacificCenter for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, was quoted by David Hutt assaying in an article run by the “Asia Times” that: “The coronavirus pandemichas been a great opportunity for Vietnam to enhance its soft power, as ithelped to broadcast Vietnam’s generous behavior toward the internationalcommunity.”/.
VNA
