It can be said that the vibrant and continuous foreign affairs activities are the highlight of 2023. Nearly 50 delegations of leaders of countries and international organizations have visited, creating a new qualitative development in the foreign affairs and international integration situation of our country. Along with that, the framework of relations with many partners has been raised to a new level, showing that Vietnam's position and prestige are increasingly enhanced.
A confident Vietnam on the world stage
In recent years, many world leaders who have visited Vietnam have had experiences about the country and its people: US President Barack Obama ate bun cha at a popular restaurant in Hanoi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat drinking coffee on the sidewalk; Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enjoyed draft beer and banh mi in Hanoi's Old Quarter; President Vo Van Thuong and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sat chatting at Hoan Kiem Lake; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Prime Minister of Belarus, after visiting the Hanoi Flag Tower, had relaxing moments, enjoying coffee with chicken baguettes and green tea caramel cake at a restaurant in the relic site. These images not only exude the trust and affection of international politicians and friends for Vietnam, but also show that countries are increasingly considering Vietnam an important partner in their strategy of cooperation and mutual development.
It is easy to see that the recovery, stability and development of Vietnam's economy have significantly contributed to increasing the country's prestige and position in attracting international investment. This is a solid condition and premise for Vietnam to affirm and enhance the country's prestige and position in all fields and international relations. In 2023, Vietnam welcomed many heads of state and senior leaders of countries: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk-yeol, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Thoongloun Sisoulith, Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen... These events are considered to be of historical significance, contributing to affirming that "never before has our country had such a foundation, potential, prestige and international position as it does today".
From a country under siege and embargo, we have now expanded and deepened relations with 193 countries and territories, including 3 countries with special relations, 6 comprehensive strategic partners, 12 strategic partners and 12 comprehensive partners. After nearly 50 years of rising from the war with countless difficulties, Vietnam has a voice in the international arena and the great powers have changed their attitudes towards Vietnam. That is, Vietnam has known how to create a position. The position here is the correct political line, domestic and foreign, based on 2 important foundations. First, taking national and ethnic interests as the ultimate goal and foundation. Second, Vietnam's foreign policy and diplomacy are based on justice. Because in the world there are many viewpoints, many tendencies, many different political theories, but all the peoples in the world look at a country's diplomacy to see if that country is just so they can support it. Vietnam's flexibility in thinking and diplomatic policy in recent times has also proven effective.
These are intertwined bilateral and multilateral interests. This is the art of diplomacy to elevate one's position and Vietnam is doing this well. Therefore, the fact that many heads of state from neighboring countries, major countries, and traditional friends have continuously visited Vietnam in 2023, once again demonstrates our position - a Vietnam with a strong desire to rise up to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region and on the international stage.
Opening a new chapter in Vietnam - US relations
President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam coincides with the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1973 Paris Agreement between Vietnam and the United States, ending the US military intervention in Vietnam; and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership (2013-2023). Based on the interests of the people of the two countries and the desire to strengthen cooperation for the goals of peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the new context, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden, on behalf of the two countries, adopted a Joint Statement, establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development.
Meeting with the US President, President Vo Van Thuong said that in order to continue deepening bilateral relations within the framework of the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two sides need to continue strengthening political and diplomatic relations, especially through meetings between the two countries' senior leaders.
In 2023, many heads of state from important countries visited Vietnam, which were considered historical events, contributing to affirming that "never before has our country had such a foundation, potential, prestige and international position as today".
At the reception, the President emphasized the positive development of the Vietnam-US relationship, from former enemies to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This is truly a model in the history of international relations in healing and building post-war relations. President Joe Biden also expressed his belief that the Vietnam-US relationship will continue to achieve more achievements. At the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Joe Biden, the two leaders expressed their delight at the extensive development of the Vietnam-US relationship on all three bilateral, regional and international levels. In particular, economy, trade and investment continue to be the bright spots and driving forces of bilateral relations, with two-way trade reaching over 123 billion USD by 2022. Cooperation between the two countries in science and technology, education and training, security and defense, overcoming the consequences of war, responding to climate change, people-to-people exchange, etc. continues to achieve many important developments.
Discussing the direction of cooperation between the two countries in the coming time with President Joe Biden, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested that the United States soon complete the procedures to recognize Vietnam as a market economy; continue to allocate resources for cooperation to overcome the consequences of war, an indispensable field for the process of healing, building and strengthening trust, understanding, and mutual respect between the two states and peoples. The US President and the congressmen agreed with the proposals of the National Assembly Chairman, and will strive to promote support for Vietnam-US relations and soon recognize Vietnam's market economy status.
“New Positioning”, “New Level” in Vietnam - China Relations
The State visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping took place at the time of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China, marking a new historical milestone in the Vietnam-China relationship. Based on the important achievements of the 15th year of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, this visit by Mr. Xi Jinping has many expectations for a "new position" and "new level" of bilateral relations; further deepening the cooperation framework for the long-term future of the relationship between the two countries in a more sustainable, substantive and effective direction, contributing to the trend of peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world. With 36 agreements - a record - signed between the two countries, this visit by Mr. Xi Jinping has achieved many results in terms of diplomacy, politics, defense, security, etc.
This was clearly demonstrated in the high-level talks and meetings and in the Vietnam-China Joint Statement. In which, the two sides agreed to build a "Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of Strategic Significance, striving for the happiness of the people of the two countries, for the cause of peace and progress of mankind". Through this activity, Chinese leaders and the international community also have a more complete view of the achievements of the renovation process, as well as the foundation and potential, position and prestige of Vietnam. In particular, the economic results shown in the 36 cooperation agreements signed between the two countries are all large implementation frameworks, instead of specific projects.
Notably, there are 2 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on border railway cooperation and 2 Action Plans for the period 2024-2026 on trade and economy. China is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner, Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN and China's 4th largest trading partner globally...
It can be said that the Joint Statement and the signing of 36 cooperation documents have truly and vividly reflected the stature and level of connection of the Vietnam-China relationship. Especially at a time when the world is experiencing increasingly unpredictable changes, these events have further consolidated and developed the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam, opened a new stage of development, created a new space for cooperation between the two countries...; at the same time, outlined a grand plan for the future in-depth development of the Vietnam-China relationship.
NGUYEN HONG/DTTC
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