President Vo Van Thuong hosts Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko during their visit to Vietnam in September (Photo:VNA)

President’s visit to Japan represents important landmark in 50 years of diplomatic ties

President Vo Van Thuong's upcoming visit to Japan holds historical significance as it will be one of the most prominent landmarks of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yamada Takio made the statement in a recent media interview regarding the significance and related contents ahead of the Vietnamese State leader’s visit to the Far East nation.

Upon assessing the forthcoming official visit to Japan by President Thuong and his wife, Ambassador Takio said that both sides are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations amid bilateral ties growing steadily across multiple fields such as politics, economics, and culture.

"In addition to looking back at the progress in Japan-Vietnam relations so far, this visit also conveys a message that cooperation between Japan and Vietnam is not just a bilateral relationship but is becoming a relationship that can jointly contribute to peace and prosperity of the region and the world," the Japanese diplomat stated.

In recent years, mutual relations have developed from strength to strength and are now entering the best period ever, cited VOV.

Most notably, high-level exchanges continuously conducted between the countries' heads of state have also helped to build a special trusted relationship.

This year's 50th anniversary of both nations' diplomatic relations got off to a positive start with a phone call between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, followed by a visit to Vietnam made in September by Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko.

This official visit to Japan by President Thuong and his wife clearly symbolizes the current period as being best for the relationship between Japan and Vietnam, Ambassador Takio emphasized.

Talking about priority areas that the two countries need to focus on in order to propel their bilateral ties forward, the diplomat said that in terms of economics, Japan is keen to support its firms in continuing investing in the Vietnamese market, particularly in the context of the country growing economically and shifting supply chains.

Both parties can train highly skilled human resources in the field of information technology. Indeed, Japan is keen to show the potential that exists for the two countries to become innovation partners in green and digital transformation. In addition, Japan also desires to restore ODA capital, especially in infrastructure co-operation.

Besides, politically, Japan affirms that Vietnam is an important partner in carrying out the goal of “a free and open Indo-Pacific”. While the situation in areas such as the East Sea becomes increasingly complicated, the Japanese side will deepen links to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the spirit of rule of law.

​With regard to people-to-people and cultural exchanges, exchange activities and visits between the two countries at all levels are increasing rapidly, including visits by state leaders.

“There are about 500,000 Vietnamese people living in Japan. In the future, we will further enhance cultural, sports and tourism exchanges between young generations and between localities, and expand the scope of citizen and cultural exchanges,” the Ambassador added.

Vietnam, Cuba to strengthen ties in biotechnology

The Finlay Vaccines Institute of Cuba and the Vietnamese company Vabiotech on November 24 agreed to strengthen ties in the field of biotechnology, according to VNA.

The Finlay Vaccines Institute of Cuba and the Vietnamese company Vabiotech agree to strengthen ties in the field of biotechnology. (Photo: PL)

“A delegation from Vabiotech headed by its director Nguyen Anh Tuan visited the Finlay Institute, where they discussed collaboration and future projects. The Vietnamese representatives were updated on the work of the institution,” according to a message from the Cuban institute on the social network X, as cited by Cuban news agency Prensa Latina (PL).

“In the meeting between the Finlay Institute and Vabiotech, the desire to continue expanding collaboration between both biotechnology institutions was expressed,” the text says.

Recently, Duc Minh Medical JSC (Almedic) also signed vaccine distribution and development contracts with Cuba's leading biological centers such as the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the Centre of Molecular Immunology (CIM).

Almedic has also cooperated with Da Lat Pasteur Vaccine Company Limited (DAVAC) to be in charge of a stage of Cuban vaccine production in Vietnam. It has sent many Vietnamese technicians and managers to Cuba's biological centers and advanced laboratories for short-term training, and invited Cuban experts to Vietnam for technical training for vaccine production facilities and quality monitoring agencies in the country.

Vietnamese Ambassador honored with Cuban friendship medal

Outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung has been honored with the country’s friendship medal in recognition of his contributions to the development of the strong and long-standing traditional relationship between both sides.

During the medal presentation ceremony held on November 24 in Havana, Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anayansi Rodríguez highlighted the strides made in bilateral ties during the diplomat's tenure that lasted for more than three years. Indeed, there have been tremendous achievements recorded in agriculture, trade, biotechnology, construction, education, finance, and tourism, she said.

Deputy Minister Rodríguez highlighted Ambassador Tung’s effective contributions to strengthening the mutual trust and friendship that exists between the two countries' governments and people, especially in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing presence of Vietnamese businesses in the Caribbean island nation, VOV reported.

Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anayansi Rodríguez pins the friendship medal to Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Thanh Tung. (Photo: VNA)

At present, Vietnam is the largest Asia-Pacific investor in Cuba.

In response, the diplomat expressed his gratitude for the sincere support given by the Cuban Party, State, and people for Vietnam’s liberation and nation-building cause, as well as for his personal learning, training, and working.

The Ambassador pledged his continued contribution to the preservation and enhancement of the countries’ special relationship, even after the end of his term.

This comes after November 18 when First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez received Ambassador Tung before he concluded his diplomatic mission.

Vietnam-UK ties shine at friendship dance festival

The Vietnam-UK Friendship Association in Hanoi held a friendship dance festival on November 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations.

Featuring performances by students from secondary schools, high schools, and universities affiliated with the association, the event aimed to foster the sides’ mutual cultural and artistic understanding and strengthen the relationship between their people, cited VNA.

A performance by students from the Dich Vong secondary school at the festival. (Photo: VNA)

In his opening speech, Chairman of the association Vu Dang Dinh acknowledged that with the collaboration of the British Embassy in activities promoting peace, solidarity, and education between the two nations, the association has successfully organized cultural exchange events and introduced traditional Vietnamese culture to UK friends.

Marcus Winsley, Deputy Ambassador of the UK to Vietnam, affirmed over the past five decades, the Vietnam-UK ties have been continuously fortified and nurtured to thrive.

On September 11, 1973, the UK was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, which was still in the struggle for national independence and reunification.

Throughout their shared history, especially since both countries decided to elevate their relations to a strategic partnership in 2010, robust developments have been made.

Human rights top of agenda in Vietnam

Ethnic minorities' (EM) representation in the National Assembly (NA) is a fundamental tenet of Vietnam's political doctrine; the country has spared no effort in ensuring they are presented from the top.

That remark was made by Nguyen Lam Thanh, Vice Chairman of the NA's Council on Ethnic Minorities, at a press conference on human rights yesterday.

Thành said the Law on the Election of NA Deputies 1997 was a big boost to EM candidates as it assigned the council the task of providing them with electoral training and nominating them to the legislature.

The 2016 version of the law went one step further by stipulating that at least 18 percent of candidates running for election must come from EM, VNS reported.

The country's legal efforts have translated into good results, with the legislative body becoming increasingly inclusive over the past decade. Between 2011 and 2016, EM deputies constituted 15.6 per cent of the NA. The share rose to 17.3 per cent from 2016 to 2021, and 17.8 per cent in the next five years.

What is more impressive is that some EM groups with a population of less than 1,000 have had a say in the legislative body. For instance, the Brau people (population of less than 1,000) made it to the 15th NA whereas Mảng (less than 5,000) had their deputies in the 14th NA.

So far, 51 out of 53 EM groups in Vietnam have seats in the legislature. The country has set it a goal to have the two remaining groups, O-du (less than 1,000) and Ngai (less than 2,000), legislatively represented in the short term.

The vice chairman also suggested several measures to create a more inclusive representative body. The measures include training for elected EM representatives and bottom-up nomination for EM candidates.

Tran Chi Mai, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department, Committee for EM Affairs, said Vietnam's delegates will defend its 5th Report on the Compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) from 29-30 November in Geneva.

The report has two parts.

The first part delves into the fundamental aspects of Vietnam's institutions and legal framework concerning human rights protection. It also outlines the complexities of implementing CERD in the country.

The second provides insights into the measures taken by Vietnam to align its legal framework with CERD. It also highlights the progress made in safeguarding the rights of EM groups in line with CERD.

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