Japanese PM warmly welcomes Vietnamese President on official visit
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his spouse hosted a welcoming ceremony in Tokyo on November 27 for Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse who are paying an official visit to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese state.
In a solemn atmosphere, the band plays the national anthems of Vietnam and Japan. PM Kishida then invited President Thuong to review the guard of honour.
Shortly after the welcoming ceremony, the two leaders held talks on measures to raise the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights.
President Thuong’s visit is of great significance as the two countries are celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations.
Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973 and raised their ties to a strategic partnership in 2009. Five years later, the two countries established an extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.
Japan is the first country of the group of seven industrialised countries (G7) to recognize Vietnam’s market economy status. It has twice invited Vietnamese leaders to attend the expanded G7 Summit. Vietnam - Japan relations have high political trust, and the two countries share common views on many regional and international issues.
Japan is Vietnam’s leading economic partner, ranking first in ODA aid provision, second in labour cooperation, third in investment and tourism, and fourth in trade. Two-way trade turnover between the two countries last year reached nearly US$50 billion, including US$24.2 billion worth of Vietnamese exports.
