Vietnam, US upgrade ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The official upgrade of Vietnam-US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during US President Joseph Biden’s recent State visit to Vietnam is expected to open up a new stage in the bilateral friendship and cooperation. The visit from September 10-11 marked a decade of the countries’ implementation of their comprehensive partnership (2013-2023) and the continuity of visits to Vietnam by heads of the White House during the nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations.
Building trust and mutual understanding
During the trip, Biden joined Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in an official welcoming ceremony, talks, and a meeting with the press. He met with President Vo Van Thuong and attended a banquet hosted by Thuong. He had a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, with both leaders attending a high-level conference between the US and Vietnam on investment and innovation. The US President also met with Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue.
At these meetings, both sides emphasised the special significance of the visit as an opportunity for the leaders of the countries to exchange views on bilateral relations and international issues for the benefit of their peoples and for contributions to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world. The sides agreed that the Vietnam-US relations have made significant, deep, substantive, and effective developments since the normalisation and the establishment of the comprehensive partnership.
On the occasion, a Joint Leaders’ Statement on elevating the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership was issued, opening up a new chapter in the relationship. Accordingly, the sides will work together to realise the aspirations of their peoples for a bright and dynamic future, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
At a meeting with the press alongside Trong to announce the results of their talks on the evening of September 10, Biden emphasised that everything achieved in recent years was not accidental or inevitable but required strong efforts of the two countries’ leaders. He expressed his remembrance of McCain and noted that those who contributed to nurturing the Vietnam-US relationship saw how much the sides “had to gain by working together to overcome a bitter past.”
Model of reconciliation and post-war relationship building
President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 11 for US President Joseph R. Biden Jr. In order to continue to further deepen bilateral relations within the newly-established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Thuong suggested that the two sides continue to strengthen bilateral political-diplomatic relations, especially through meetings of senior leaders. He thanked Biden for inviting him to the APEC Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco this November, and accepted the invitation.
Agreeing with the Vietnamese State leader on directions and commitments to the bilateral relationship in the future, Biden said that efforts to promote the Vietnam-US ties have always received valuable companionship and support from long-time friends such as the late Senator John McCain, former Senator John Kerry, as well as the majority of the American people. He said he believes that the Vietnam-US relations will continue to enjoy more successes following the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
On the occasion, Thuong presented Biden with a special book entitled "Ho Chi Minh - Letters to America" published by the Vietnamese Writers' Association Publishing House.
Biden received the special and meaningful gift with respect, saying that he will carefully read all the letters to better understand the historical period of relations between the two countries.
Following the meeting, President Thuong hosted a State-level banquet for President Biden and the US delegation.
Economic, trade, and investment cooperation for mutual benefit and development
US President Joe Biden met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and attended the Vietnam - US Summit on Investment and Innovation this morning, September 11. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. agreed on September 11 to turn technology, innovation, and investment into a truly new important pillar of the countries’ freshly established comprehensive strategic partnership.
Sharing President Biden’s view that innovation is the key to the countries’ future, he called on both sides’ enterprises to prioritise investment in science - technology and innovation, especially digital transformation, the semi-conductor industry, green growth, renewable energy, climate change fight, and circular economy.
The US will cooperate and support Vietnam to seize opportunities and make the most of its potential, he stated, suggesting Vietnam in general and its businesses in particular continue to work closely to promote development in such areas as science - technology, innovation, semiconductor industry, green transformation, climate change response and human resources training, and to participate more deeply in regional and global value chains.
The President emphasised that cooperation and sharing are not only during the times of favourable development, but also those of difficulties and risks.
Complete the procedures to recognize Vietnam as a market economy
Expressing joy in hosting Biden as the first US President to visit the NA House, Chairman of the NA Vuong Dinh Hue congratulated Biden on his successful talks with Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on September 10 and welcomed the upgrade of relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, which opens up a new chapter in the bilateral ties, spanning the channels of party, legislature, government, and people-to-people exchange.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of the parliaments in the process of healing, building trust, enhancing cooperation, and elevating the bilateral relationship. Biden thanked Hue for leading efforts to promote relations shared between the two legislatures and countries based on trust and collaboration.
Regarding the results achieved after the September 10 talks, Hue stated that the Vietnamese NA and Government will jointly carry out an action plan to implement the Joint Leaders Statement on elevating the Vietnam-US ties. He suggested that the US expeditiously complete the procedures to recognise Vietnam as a market economy and continue allocating resources for post-war cooperation.
Agreeing with the NA Chairman’s proposals, the US President committed to making efforts to promote internal US consensus in support of the Vietnam-US relations and the early recognition of Vietnam's market economy status.
The Vietnamese Party chief stressed that Vietnam promotes relations with the US and other international partners in the spirit outlined by President Ho Chi Minh after Vietnam regained independence, that is Vietnam is a friend of all countries.
The 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam also set the policy on strengthening and deepening bilateral cooperative relations in the framework of the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations; Vietnam is a friend, a trustworthy partner as well as an active and responsible member of the international community, the Party leader affirmed.
VNA/VNP