Powerdrift meet the leaders

It was Xi's first trip abroad since he obtained an unprecedented third term last month. The Chinese leader has been trying to portray Beijing as a potential peacemaker in Ukraine, even as he deepens economic ties with his closest ally. Putin and Xi greeted one another as "dear friend" when they met in the Kremlin on Monday, and Russian state news agencies later reported they held informal talks for nearly 4-1/2 hours, with more official talks scheduled for Tuesday. In televised comments, Putin told Xi he viewed China's proposals for resolution of the Ukraine conflict with respect. He confessed to being "slightly envious" of China's "very effective system for developing the economy and strengthening the state". Xi, for his part, praised Putin and predicted Russians would re-elect him next year. Moscow has been publicly promoting plans for a visit by Xi for months. White House spokesman John Kirby said Xi should use his influence to press Putin to withdraw troops from … [Read more...] about Putin meets Xi in Kremlin as Ukraine war grinds on

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (L) and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha had bilateral meetings with many foreign leaders on the sidelines of the UN 2023 Water Conference, which is taking place in New York from March 22-24. In a meeting with King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, Ha hailed the King's initiatives and efforts in organising and co-hosting the conference, following the first of its kind in 1977. The Deputy PM expressed his hope that the Dutch royal family and the King himself will continue supporting the development of the Vietnam-Netherlands relations, including the Netherlands’ financial support and technological transfer to Vietnam in green transition, renewable energy, water resources management and climate change response. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand. (Photo: VNA) The … [Read more...] about Deputy PM holds bilateral meetings on sidelines of UN 2023 Water Conference

Xi will be the first national leader to shake Putin's hand since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia since its invasion. Russia is presenting Xi's trip, his first since securing an unprecedented third term this month, as evidence that it has a powerful friend prepared to stand with it against a hostile West that it accuses of trying to isolate and defeat Moscow. "We can feel the geopolitical landscape in the outside world undergoing drastic changes," Putin said in an article in China's People's Daily published on the Kremlin website, adding that he had high hopes for the visit from his "good old friend." For Xi, the visit is a diplomatic tightrope. China has released a 12-point proposal to solve the Ukraine crisis, but at the same time strengthened ties with Moscow. China has repeatedly dismissed Western accusations that it is planning to arm Russia but says it wants a closer … [Read more...] about China’s Xi arrives in Russia to meet Putin over Ukraine war

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai (L) and Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo. (Photo: VNA) Seoul (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai paid a courtesy visit to Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo and met Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of the Republic of Korea (RoK) on March 21-22 as part of his trip to the country. At the meeting on March 21, the RoK NA speaker noted that the relations between Viet na m and the RoK have been developing strongly, highlighting the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022. He stressed that during his meetings with key leaders of the Vietnamese Party, Government and National Assembly during his visit to Vietnam last January, he noticed that both sides have been aware of the great potential of bilateral cooperation. Kim extended an invitation to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and legislators of Vietnam to attend a forum for ASEAN and Korean … [Read more...] about NA Vice Chairman visits RoK, meets host leaders

At the meeting on March 21, the RoK N.A. speaker noted that the relations between Vietnam and the RoK have been developing strongly, highlighting the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022. He stressed that during his meetings with key leaders of the Vietnamese Party, Government and National Assembly during his visit to Vietnam last January, he noticed that both sides have been aware of the great potential of bilateral cooperation. Kim extended an invitation to N.A. Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and legislators of Vietnam to attend a forum for ASEAN and Korean leaders, slated for June in the RoK’s Jeju Island. For his part, Hai affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the relations with the RoK and suggested the two sides maintain all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, saying coordination and sharing of views on the bilateral cooperation as well as the regional and international situation would help deepen relations between their … [Read more...] about N.A. Vice Chairman visits RoK, meets host leaders

PM Pham Minh Chinh meets with chiefs of Vietnamese representative offices abroad. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with 16 ambassadors and chiefs of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad for the 2023-2026 tenure in Hanoi on March 16, before they set off for work in 48 countries and territories worldwide. Speaking at the meeting, the PM lauded significant contributions by the diplomatic sector to the cause of national construction, including those by representative agencies abroad. He asked the diplomats to persistently and flexible implement the foreign policy of the Party and the State, and thoroughly grasp Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s instruction that is “serving national development is the key task of the diplomatic sector.” Each of the mission chiefs should regard economic diplomacy as a high priority during their term, with the organisation of all-level external activities being the top focus, the … [Read more...] about PM meets with chiefs of Vietnamese representative offices abroad

NA Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man holds talks with Vice President of the Spanish Senate Cristina Narbona in Madrid on March 16. (Photo: VNA) Madrid (VNA) – Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man held separate talks with Vice President of the Senate Cristina Narbona and First Vice President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain Alfonso Rodriguez in Madrid on March 16. Man, who is on a visit to Spain, congratulated the country on its holding of the rotating European Council Presidency in the second half of 2023 and asked it to further promote and turn the ASEAN - EU cooperation into a priority in the EU’s agenda. He thanked Spain for ratifying the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) early and called on the country, during its European Council Presidency, to help promote the ratification of the EVIPA by the parliaments of other EU members, thus creating momentum for bilateral investment on the basis of equality and … [Read more...] about NA Vice Chairman holds talks with leaders of Spanish parliament

Politburo member and Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen (standing) speaks at the meeting with heads of Vietnam’s overseas representative bodies on March 17. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City called for support from heads of Vietnam’s overseas representative bodies for local development, during a meeting on March 17. Politburo member and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen appreciated opinions by the new ambassadors of Vietnam and highly valued their sense of responsibility and aspiration to dedicate to the country. He asked the HCM City People’s Committee to soon devise a mechanism of coordination with Vietnam’s overseas representative bodies so as to contribute to local development. Stressing that the ambassadors and heads of overseas representative agencies are representatives of Vietnam in the eyes of foreign friends and partners, Nen wished them good health; steadfastness in their stance, … [Read more...] about HCM City leaders receive heads of Vietnam’s overseas representative bodies

Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister lauded significant contribution by the diplomatic sector to the cause of national construction, including those by representative agencies abroad. He asked the diplomats to persistently and flexibly implement the foreign policy of the Party and the State, and thoroughly grasp Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s instruction that “serving national development is the key task of the diplomatic sector.” Each of the mission chiefs should regard economic diplomacy as a high priority during their term, with the organization of all-level external activities being the top focus, the leader said. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked them to maintain close links with ministries, agencies and localities at home to facilitate investment attraction as well as market and supply chain expansion and diversification. The diplomats were also requested to deepen relations with partners and identify key cooperation areas with each of them, while … [Read more...] about Prime Minister meets with chiefs of Vietnamese representative offices abroad

Addressing the event, President Vo Van Thuong praised Gen. Nghia for his great efforts over the past time. The state leader also highlighted the senior officer’s competence and outstanding achievements during his military career, contributing to the military building and national defense consolidation. He asked the newly-promoted officer to continue improving the mettle of a Party member and a military general, stay absolutely loyal to the Party, State, and people, and study and follow President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings on a general’s duties. The state leader also urged Gen. Nghia to further promote the spirit of solidarity and unity within the General Staff to lead and direct an effective implementation of the Party's guideline and the State's policies and laws on military and national defense tasks, meeting the requirements of building a revolutionary, standardized, elite, and gradually-modernized People's Army. He also requested Gen. Nghia to contribute to improving the quality … [Read more...] about President presents rank promotion decision to General Staff leader