Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at their press conference after the talks (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Japan has received the attention of the Japanese media, which have run articles on the visit with the focus on his talks with the host country’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on November 24.

On the same day, NHK reported that during his talks with PM Chinh, PM Kishida expressed hope for further development of bilateral relations with Vietnam. Meanwhile, Chinh congratulated Kishida on assuming office and said he believes Kishida's inauguration will bring a bright future for friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

One day later, in an article titled “Japan, Vietnam PMs reaffirm ties”, NHK reported that Japan's Prime Minister and his Vietnamese counterpart have agreed to work together to maintain the international order based on freedom and the rule of law. It said that Chinh is the first foreign leader Kishida has met in Japan since taking office.

Kyodo cited a joint statement following the leaders' meeting in Tokyo which said the two sides agreed on the importance of upholding an international order that is based on law while affirming they will work together toward economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (Photo: VNA)

It quoted Ippeita Nishida, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, who said the increased cooperation between Japan and Vietnam will have a wider significance.

The Japan Times said Vietnam was an important partner of Japan who held a key to achieving ‘a free and open Indo-Pacific.

According to Vietnamese foreign minister Bui Thanh Son, the visit is a success with comprehensive and specific outcomes of strategic importance, leaving a deep imprint on the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership. The minister said that the goal of the visit is to reinforce and strengthen the bilateral extensive strategic partnership, bringing practical benefits to people and businesses of both sides, especially when the two countries are working to overcome the consequences of Covid-19.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnesses the sign of cooperation agreements between Vietnamese and Japanese businesses (Photo: VNA)

According to Son, the visit bears special significance in three aspects. It helps deepen the extensive strategic partnership with Japan, contributing to promoting bilateral cooperation in major areas, vividly reflecting Vietnam’s external policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and affirming that Vietnam is a trustworthy friend and an active and responsible member of the international community.

Son highlighted that during the visit, the two sides defined major orientations and specific measures to deepen the already close and extensive relationship between the two countries. Those orientations and measures have been clarified in a clear, comprehensive and practical manner in the Joint Statement Toward the Opening of a New Era in Japan-Vietnam Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.

At the same time, the visit helps reinforce the friendship and enhance mutual understanding between the two nations and peoples, he said. During the visit, the Vietnamese leader reiterated a message that Vietnam always considers Japan a friend and a reliable and leading important partner with many shared strategic interests, the minister stressed.

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