Japan looks to the future, reaching out to the world

The two countries have many similarities.

The President expressed his honor and affirmed that this is a special sentiment that Japan has for Vietnam, of which the President is the representative, at a very meaningful time - the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023) between the two countries.

The President shared his story, when he was young, he had the opportunity to visit Japan in an exchange program, meeting Vietnamese and Japanese youth. Although in his new position, the President still retains the good memories of nearly 30 years ago. At the same time, he felt more deeply about the prosperous and powerful land of the rising sun, with an increasingly high position in the international arena.

President Vo Van Thuong speaks at the Japanese Parliament

The President also emphasized that Japan is always a reliable partner and close friend, always supporting and helping Vietnam on the path of national construction and development, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

The President said the two nations have a long-standing historical relationship dating back more than 1,000 years, when Vietnamese monk Phat Triet came to Nara province (Japan) to attend the ceremony to open the eyes of the great Buddha statue in the 8th century, opening the history of exchanges in Buddhism and court music between the two countries.

The patriot Phan Boi Chau stated that Vietnam and Japan are two countries with "the same culture, the same race, the same continent". Although not geographically close, the two countries have many similarities and connections in culture, history, and people. These similarities and the tradition of close exchange between the people of the two countries over thousands of years have been the glue that binds the friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

"If I were to use a very general, concise and emotional sentence about the relationship between our two countries, I would say it is a predestined relationship," the President emphasized.

Japanese Parliament supports upgrading relations with Vietnam

On the same day, President Vo Van Thuong met with Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro and President of the Senate Otsuji Hidehisa.

Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro said that President Vo Van Thuong's speech before the National Assembly was an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries; emphasizing that Vietnam is an important and irreplaceable partner of Japan, and that the relationship between the two countries is in a better and stronger state than ever.

Meanwhile, appreciating the speech of President Vo Van Thuong, President of the Japanese House of Councilors Otsuji Hidehisa said that the two peoples of Japan and Vietnam share many similarities in history and culture, and many good values ​​and qualities, like the lotus of Vietnam and the cherry blossom of Japan, always knowing how to overcome difficulties and adversities, spreading their fragrance. He hoped that the two countries would continue on a new path together with a new framework of relations, in good times or in difficult times, together achieving new results.

Sincere friends, trusted partners

The President conveyed a message to all leaders, parliamentarians and the majority of Japanese people about a country that is innovative, open, peace-loving and aspiring for development. Vietnam has an independent, self-reliant, diversified and multilateral foreign policy, and is a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community. The President affirmed that Vietnam admires the socio-economic reform and development policies that have helped Japan become an economic power with an important role and position in the region and the world.

"The achievements of the land of the rising sun are a great source of encouragement, useful experience, and great motivation for Vietnam," the President emphasized in his speech.

Looking back at the 50-year relationship between the two countries, the President said Japan is Vietnam's leading economic partner, the second largest partner in labor cooperation, the third largest in investment and tourism, and the fourth largest in trade. Defense and security cooperation has increasingly developed substantially and in depth. Vietnam has been effectively using Japan's ODA capital for socio-economic development.

"We cannot forget that during Vietnam's most difficult time, Japan was one of the first developed countries to normalize relations and decided to resume ODA for Vietnam. And up to now, Japan's ODA still plays a very important role in Vietnam's development," the President affirmed.

Regarding the future direction of the Vietnam-Japan relationship, according to the President, upgrading the relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the world will allow the two countries to raise the level and expand the space for cooperation, not only in bilateral relations but also on regional and global issues; not only in traditional areas but also in new areas of cooperation.

"This is in line with the spirit of Vietnam and Japan working together, looking towards the future, and reaching out to the world," the President affirmed.

The President said that Vietnam and Japan need to implement a new relationship framework with new thinking, new orientations, new ways of doing things, with six enhancements, including: political trust; economic connectivity; defense and security cooperation; local cooperation; cooperation in new fields and cooperation and coordination at multilateral and regional forums.

"Together we are determined to build a relationship between our two countries that is truly sincere friends, trustworthy partners, strategic partners, and has a sustainable future," the President affirmed.

President has breakfast with Japanese homestay families

On the morning of November 29 local time, at the Shiseikan Martial Arts Stadium (Tokyo, Japan), President Vo Van Thuong attended an exchange program between Vietnamese Vovinam and Japanese martial arts.

The President and delegates enjoyed performances by Japanese and Vietnamese martial artists with swordplay, boxing, and combat performances... demonstrating the power of martial arts and imbuing the spirit of national culture.

President Vo Van Thuong and his wife also had a friendly meeting and breakfast with Japanese homestay families who had hosted Vietnamese youth through youth exchange programs. These families had hosted a number of Vietnamese youth, including President Vo Van Thuong, to stay and exchange in youth cooperation activities between the two countries many years ago. The President was delighted to meet his relatives again during his first official visit to Japan in his new position, and recalled many unforgettable memories and impressions of his youth when he stayed, lived, and worked with Japanese families and youth in the past.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/viet-nhat-huong-toi-tuong-lai-vuon-tam-the-gioi-185231129205507783.htm