At the airport, the President and the delegation were welcomed by Chinese Minister of Housing and Urban - Rural Construction Ni Hong and Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo, among others.

This is the first visit to China by and also the first multilateral diplomatic activity of Thuong as the State leader of Vietnam.

During the third BRF, President Thuong is scheduled to attend the forum’s opening ceremony, a high-level session on digital economy, and bilateral meetings with leaders of some countries and international organisations.

He will also have meetings with leaders of China and receive executives of some leading Chinese businesses in the fields of technology and telecommunications.

Amid many complex and unpredictable developments in the international situation and strong changes in the world’s economy, President Thuong and the Vietnamese delegation’s attendance in the third BRF is considered a practical activity helping implement the country’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, and proactive, comprehensive, flexible and effective integration into the world. It is also meant to send out a message about Vietnam being a friend, trustworthy partner, and active and responsible member of the international community contributing to regional and global peace, stability, development, and cooperation.

President’s presence at Belt and Road Forum of great significance

President Vo Van Thuong’s attendance at the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing from October 17-20 is of great significance in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu has told the press.

Multilaterally, Thuong’s participation demonstrates Vietnam's strong commitment to multilateralism and its activeness in strengthening regional and global economic cooperation and connectivity.

Thuong is expected to join leaders and representatives of over 140 countries and international organisations in discussions on issues critical to the economic recovery process of each country and the globe such as digital transformation, green transformation, innovation, modern agriculture, and development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups.

Bilaterally, Thuong’s working trip is highly respected by the leaders of the two countries. This is a high-level external activity in the year commemorating the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China. Therefore, Thuong’s meetings with key Chinese leaders will contribute to strengthening political trust, maintaining the momentum of relations as well as creating new opportunities for cooperation, said Vu.

According to the deputy minister, the Vietnamese President’s attendance at the forum will contribute to reinforcing the trend of strengthening regional and global economic links, especially when Vietnam is a country with great economic openness.

Discussions on issues that conform with Vietnam’s development orientations such as green growth, digital economy, innovation and corruption fight will offer experience and lessons to Vietnam to help it take advantage of resources and expand economic collaboration.

Thuong’s meetings with leaders of China and other countries will also open up new cooperation opportunities for Vietnam, stated Vu.

For China, the two sides will continue to discuss measures to enhance high-level and all-level delegation exchanges; promote more sustainable and balanced economic, trade and investment relations in the coming time; and strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, especially within the framework of "Two Corridors, One Belt" and "Belt and Road" initiatives, he added.

Source: VNA