“Same culture, same people, same continent” - the comment of patriot Phan Boi Chau (1867-1940), along with the “companionate hearts” of two friends, the Vietnam-Japan relationship is as natural as “rivers, streams, clouds and sky”, “when the flowers bloom”, passing a milestone, history will turn a new page, the future will continue to be illuminated...
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| President Vo Van Thuong and his wife met with the Emperor and Empress of Japan. |
The meeting between President Vo Van Thuong and his wife with the Japanese Emperor and Empress lasted more than an hour longer than expected. The lingering footsteps did not want to leave, recalling memories of the times when Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko went overdue and ran out of script when they visited Vietnam in 2017.
Speaking at the Japanese National Assembly - the oldest legislative body in Asia, the head of state of Vietnam recalled his own youthful memories associated with the hospitable and friendly country and people of Japan - a country as beautiful as cherry blossoms with souls as deep as Haiku poems. Furthermore, in the exchanges throughout the visit, the leaders of the two countries repeatedly recalled the "heaven-ordained fate" originating from people-to-people exchanges more than 1,000 years ago...
Such feelings are enough to see that the visit is not simply an official visit, it also represents a reunion of sincere hearts. The visit does not only tell the story of the present but also a message of gratitude and respect for the past to have more confidence in the future. Besides talks and meetings, the visit also has moments of "deep affection" in the land of the Rising Sun - the President met old friends (including politicians), met the Japanese homestay family who had welcomed Vietnamese youth through exchange programs or encouraged young people with entrepreneurial spirit at the Vietnamese Bread shop in the heart of bustling Tokyo...
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| President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. |
New framework from strong belief
The joy that lasted throughout the visit was the “good news” announced by President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio right after the talks about the agreement to upgrade the relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world. This is an important event, opening a new page, expanding the space for cooperation in the Vietnam-Japan relationship to develop substantially, comprehensively, effectively, closely linked, meeting the interests of both sides, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Thus, more than ever, this new relationship framework reflects the high level of political trust and maturity of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.
After many historical ups and downs, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations, opening a new page in the history of bilateral relations on September 21, 1973. Since then, after a long journey of half a century, with cultural similarities, the exchange of interests, political trust and especially with the tireless efforts of generations of leaders and people of the two countries, the cooperative and friendly relations between the two countries have developed strongly, substantially, extensively and achieved many important and great achievements in almost all fields. Political relations, defense - security, economy, culture, education, locality, people-to-people exchanges have been strengthened on all channels; developed substantially and increasingly in depth, substantially, becoming solid bridges for the relationship between the two countries to develop sustainably and long-term.
“Images of cherry blossoms, kimonos... are becoming increasingly familiar in Vietnam. On the contrary, Vietnamese cultural features through the ao dai, lotus flowers, and favorite Vietnamese dishes such as pho and banh mi... are gradually becoming familiar in Japan,” Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son cited in his speech at the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Vietnam-Japan Diplomatic Relations held within the framework of the visit.
The “sweet fruit” of five decades of steadfast solidarity is a solid foundation for the two nations to confidently move together towards the future, in line with the spirit of Vietnam and Japan accompanying each other, looking towards the future, and reaching out to the world.
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| President Vo Van Thuong held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on November 27. |
New orientation in “every moment”
The new framework means that the two countries have new directions for a comprehensive new journey. Through the Joint Statement and discussions, the two sides reached a high level of consensus on major and important directions in bilateral relations in the coming time. These “guidelines” are summarized in the “six enhancements” that the President emphasized when speaking at the Japanese Parliament.
Firstly, further strengthen political trust, exchange delegations at high and all levels, creating a solid foundation for bilateral relations in all fields, including through Party, State, Government, National Assembly channels, and exchanges between parliamentarians and National Assembly deputies of the two countries.
Second, strengthen the connection between the two economies, identify economic cooperation as the key pillar; expect Japan to support Vietnam in successfully implementing industrialization and modernization. Vietnam commits to being an attractive destination for Japanese enterprises.
Third, strengthen defense and security cooperation on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam-Japan Defense Cooperation towards the next decade.
Fourth, further strengthen local cooperation, education - training, culture, tourism, labor and people-to-people exchange.
Fifth, strengthen cooperation in new areas. Vietnam expects Japan to become an investor and strategic partner in the fields of clean, renewable energy and climate change adaptation.
Sixth, strengthen cooperation and coordination in multilateral and regional forums. The future of Vietnam and Japan is closely linked to regional and global peace, stability and development.
In that spirit and momentum, President Vo Van Thuong concluded his speech with the determination to build a relationship between the two countries that is truly: "Sincere friends, trustworthy partners, strategic cooperation, sustainable future".
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| Ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. President Vo Van Thuong and his wife Phan Thi Thanh Tam, along with Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko attended the ceremony. |
Old friendship deepens
“Friendship” is perhaps a special feature in the Vietnam-Japan relationship and between individual leaders of the two countries throughout the history of bilateral relations.
Throughout the visit, the Japanese side gave the President, his wife and the Vietnamese delegation a very special welcome. The King and Queen warmly and respectfully entertained and exchanged views with the President and his wife. The President had many meetings with leaders of the Royal Family, the Government, the National Assembly and many socio-economic organizations, friendship associations, politicians who have contributed to the relationship with Vietnam...; together with Japanese leaders and friends attended the 50th Anniversary Ceremony of establishing diplomatic relations solemnly held at the Meiji Imperial Guest House...
Although many years have passed, President Vo Van Thuong still retains good memories of the Japanese homestay families who helped the President personally and many Vietnamese youth through youth exchange programs.
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| President Vo Van Thuong speaks at the Japanese Parliament. |
In his speech at the National Assembly, the President affirmed that the “deeply affectionate” relationship between Vietnam and Japan is a valuable asset. Right in the Japanese National Assembly, one-third of parliamentarians are members of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Union. They are an important bridge in the relationship between the two countries. Friendship and long-standing friends are the glue that has firmly developed the relationship between the two countries over the past 50 years and will continue to be strong in the next 50 years and beyond.
Tomorrow will be different, flowers will bloom on the lands where the brutal tsunami once passed, just as rice will bloom golden on the lands where bombs and mines were once stuck, as the image that Senate President Otsuji Hidehisa compared after the President's speech at the National Assembly about the similarities in the good qualities of the two nations: Like the lotus of Vietnam and the cherry blossom of Japan, always knowing how to overcome difficulties and adversities, stretching out to spread their fragrance.
As countries that have had to rise up after ups and downs, Vietnam and Japan understand the value of companions who share the same “heartbeat” moving forward. President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to the land of cherry blossoms ended with a joyful atmosphere with a new chapter in history where the “two friends” Vietnam and Japan once again walk together, friendly, close and striving for a better future for the two peoples.
| Through his speech at the Japanese National Assembly, the President conveyed a message to all leaders and the majority of Japanese people about a reformed, open, peace-loving, development-aspiring Vietnam, about its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, development, diversification, multilateralization, being a friend, a reliable partner, a responsible member of the international community, as well as the desire to strengthen cooperation, share benefits and development opportunities with Japan. |
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