Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh (R) speaks at the banquet in Phnom Penh on August 30 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The diplomatic missions of Vietnam in Cambodia, South Africa and Hong Kong (China) hosted banquets on August 30 in celebration of the country’s 73rd National Day (September 2, 1945).
The event in Phnom Penh saw the presence of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development Yim Chhaily, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon, other senior officials, heads of other countries’ diplomatic agencies in Phnom Penh, and representatives of Vietnamese people in Cambodia.
In his speech, Ambassador Vu Quang Minh highlighted the major achievements Vietnam has attained since President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, heralding a new era for the country.
He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation for common prosperity and sustainable development, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, and being a friend and a trustworthy partner of countries and also a responsible member of the international community.
Vietnam and Cambodia are close neighbours with long-standing solidarity and friendship nurtured by generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, he said, noting that bilateral economic, trade and investment ties have been developing rapidly, turning Vietnam into one of the leading partners of Cambodia.
On behalf of the Cambodian Government, Tourism Minister Thong Khon thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for supporting his country throughout history.
He said the new Government of Cambodia will continue working closely with Vietnam to enhance their friendship and cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks for the sake of the two peoples and the countries’ peace, stability and prosperity.
Also on August 30, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Samdech Kong Sam Ol came to the Vietnamese Embassy to deliver King Norodom Sihamoni’s letter of greetings on Vietnam’s National Day to Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang. He also sent congratulations flowers of the King and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk to the embassy.
Meanwhile, a banquet was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa to mark the National Day as well as the 25th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic ties.
Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung (R) and Sindi Mququ, Director of the Central Asia – South Asia – Southeast Asia division at the South African Foreign Ministry, toast the 73rd National Day of Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Ambassador Vu Van Dung said Vietnam and South Africa have had sound relations for many years. Vietnam always attaches importance to developing traditional ties with South Africa in different fields. Bilateral trade has surged from 21.5 million USD in 1997 to 1 billion USD in 2017.
Sindi Mququ, Director of the Central Asia – South Asia – Southeast Asia division at the South African Foreign Ministry’s general department for Asia – Middle East, congratulated the Vietnamese Government and people on the 73rd National Day.
She said sound relations between the two countries are the solid foundation for their cooperation to be strengthened and diversified.
Vietnam’s investment in and exports to South Africa are higher than her country’s corresponding activities in Vietnam, the official noted, asking the Southeast Asian nation to share these experiences with her country, especially on the occasion of Vietnam-South Africa partnership forum slated for this September.
Sindi Mququ said the South African Government wants to increase bilateral trade with Vietnam and considers this a pillar in the bilateral partnership.
The banquet in Hong Kong (China) hosted by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Hong Kong and Macau was attended by Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng and Secretary for Security John K.C. Lee of Hong Kong, and Deputy Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Song Ru’an.
Consul General Tran Thanh Huan said the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has continued to develop in multiple spheres. In this trend, Vietnam’s relations with the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau have also grown fast and stably.
Hong Kong is a major trade and investment partner of Vietnam. As of July 2018, it had invested in 1,312 projects worth 18.3 billion USD in Vietnam, ranking sixth among foreign investors here.
The Southeast Asian nation is also becoming an attractive destination for Hong Kong tourists. In 2017, more than 47,700 vacationers from this special administrative region visited Vietnam, up 37.9 percent from the previous year, Huan added.
Teresa Cheng congratulated Vietnam on its accomplishments, noting that the country remained the 10th largest trade partner of Hong Kong in 2017.
She expressed her belief that with existing potential and advantages, the country’s win-win cooperation in culture and education with Hong Kong and Macau will further increase, thus contributing to the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China.-VNA
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