VN, Japan relations flourish comprehensively and practically

Vietnamese Head of State Tran Dai Quang (R) and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe shake hands at the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Week, Da Nang, November 10, 2017 - Photo: VNA

Mr. Quang made the point at an interview granted to Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper.

In response to a question on the bilateral ties over the past time, State President Quang said that the two countries shared a large number of similarities in history, culture, tradition, and human values. Since the diplomatic establishment in September 1973 (about 45 years ago), they have quickly become partners of each other in different areas. Especially, since the lifting of the Viet Nam-Japan relations to an Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia, the bilateral ties have flourished in a vigorous, comprehensive, and practical manner. 

In political area, the two countries regularly maintained contacts among high-ranking leaders. 2017 was the first year the two countries witnessed five high-ranking official visits especially the historical tour of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko; Japanese PM Shinzo Abe visited Viet Nam twice. Especially, the two countries issued the Joint Statement on Deepening the Viet Nam-Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership ahead of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Japan in June, 2017. The two countries also worked closely with each other at multilateral forms such as the UN, ASEAN, APEC, and ASEM. Japan also made positive contribution to Viet Nam’s successful hosting of APEC Viet Nam 2017 and the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. 

In economic term, Japan was a leading partner of Viet Nam, the largest ODA provider, and the fourth trade partner. Last year, Japan emerged as the largest investor in Viet Nam. So far, over 2,500 Japanese enterprises are doing business in Viet Nam. Japan’s ODA sources were given to such areas as infrastructure, competitiveness improvement, high-quality human training, climate change response, thus contributing remarkably to socio-economic development in Viet Nam. 

The cooperation in security-national defence, agriculture, education, training, and labor gained practical progress. Local cooperation was eventful in which 37 localities inked cooperative deals. People-to-people exchanges, cultural cooperation, and tourism developed vigorously. In 2017, Japan had the third largest number of visitors to Viet Nam. Over 230,000 Vietnamese people are living in Japan.  Over 16,000 Japanese people are working and living in Viet Nam. 

In 2018, the two countries mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties.  

Regarding a question on measures to promote the bilateral ties in the coming time, State President Quang said that there are abundant opportunities for the two countries to develop the bilateral ties. 

On the occasion of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting last November in Da Nang, State President Quang and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe were unanimous in major orientations to beef up the bilateral ties in all fields.  

The two countries would continue to strengthen political confidence by maintaining regular contacts and strengthen effectiveness of dialogue mechanisms among ministries, agencies, and localities. 

Viet Nam would spare no effort to improve investment environment and create favorable ways for foreign enterprises including Japanese ones to do business in Viet Nam. 

Both sides pledged to promote cooperation in potential fields including labor, green farming, high-tech, local connectivity, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. 

Viet Nam and Japan would work in an effective manner at regional and international forums on fields of common concern in favor of peace, stability, cooperation and development. 

On this occasion, the State President also hoped that as a developed country, Japan would transfer technologies to Viet Nam within the Framework of the Viet Nam-Japan Program through 2020 with a vision towards 2030 which focuses on six key industries with high value-added investments and international competitiveness. The six key industries included electronics, agricultural machines, agro-fishery manufacturing, shipbuilding, environment and energy saving, automobile and spare parts.  

Viet Nam always pursues the consistent policy of creating favorable conditions and environment for foreign investors especially Japanese ones, said the Head of State./.  

By Kim Anh