General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has devoted his entire life to the country of Vietnam. Senator, Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, commented so in a recent interview exclusively with Nhan Dan Newspaper's correspondent based in Thailand.
Reporter: Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat, what is your assessment of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong?
Senator, Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat: I had the chance to meet General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong when I attended the signing ceremony to upgrade the relationship between Vietnam and Thailand to a Strategic Partnership in 2013. Through information about his life and career, along with what I directly felt, the General Secretary is a dedicated, serious and straightforward person. I also know very well how much respect General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is given by the Vietnamese people. Indeed, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is one of the most respected people in recent Vietnamese history.
I know that the Vietnamese people have great trust and confidence in General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong because he has devoted his whole life to the country with countless great contributions. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has inspired confidence in the people and Vietnam is now developing strongly after escaping poverty after the war.
I often have the opportunity to visit Vietnam and I see that Vietnam has developed rapidly, with the highest GDP growth rate in ASEAN and at times the highest in Asia and among the highest in the world. Those are the most noticeable contributions of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Vietnam. As the Thai people say, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is the one who has inspired confidence in the Vietnamese people.
Reporter: What does Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat think about the contributions of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the relationship between Vietnam and Thailand?
Senator, Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat: General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has made great contributions to the relationship between the two countries, as the Thailand-Vietnam relationship has developed well over the past ten years. This is the result of the very important diplomatic development policies under the leadership of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Communist Party of Vietnam.
Due to historical issues, we must also admit that in the past, there was a period when the relationship between the two countries was not smooth sailing, but up to now, that relationship has developed at a very good level and I know, it will not stop at the level of Strategic Partnership.
From a scholar’s perspective, I see that the number of visits and mutual work between leaders of Thailand and Vietnam is the highest among ASEAN countries. These visits will strengthen relations, increase trust and benefit the people of Thailand and Vietnam.
Reporter: Having attended the press conference on the Joint Statement on upgrading bilateral relations in 2013, what is your opinion on the issue? Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand?
Senator, Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat: I have noticed that after the visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Thailand, the lives of Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand have become much more favorable. It is undeniable that when the Head of State or high-ranking leaders of Vietnam visit Thailand more, Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand will be much more confident in their lives. I also know that although they are Thais of Vietnamese origin, their lives are always oriented towards Vietnam, they still speak Vietnamese and their lifestyle still retains some Vietnamese characteristics.
After the visits of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and many other high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to Thailand, Vietnamese expatriates have been given very good conditions by the local government in their work and business, and they have integrated much faster. I have seen the happiness in their lives and more. I personally see that the relationship between Vietnamese expatriates in Thailand and the local government is currently at the highest level compared to other foreigners.
It must also be said that currently, in the Northeast of Thailand, the Vietnamese community has become the richest group of people, owning many hotels and supermarkets. Their status has been raised, and they have integrated and contributed very well to the relationship between Thailand and Vietnam.
Reporter: How do you evaluate the "Vietnamese bamboo" diplomacy that the diplomatic sector is currently implementing following the initiative of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong?
Senator, Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat: Obviously, this is one of Vietnam's strengths, when Vietnam can build a balanced relationship with major powers such as the United States, China, Russia... The good thing is that countries are taking steps to win Vietnam's sympathy. It is difficult to achieve that, but Vietnam has done very well so far.
This fact shows that Vietnam’s diplomacy under the leadership of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is achieving good results. Good relations with major powers also help Vietnam receive large foreign investments, for example, the current level of FDI investment in Vietnam is among the highest in the world. That has helped Vietnam’s economy develop remarkably. Up to now, I evaluate that the “Vietnam bamboo” diplomacy has been successful in achieving its goals.
Reporter: Thank you, Senator, Professor Lae Dilokvidhyarat.
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