Vietnamese PM arrives in Singapore, begins official visit
VOV.VN - A high-level Vietnamese Government delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived at Changi international airport on February 8 afternoon, beginning a three-day official visit to Singapore at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Chinh and his entourage were welcomed at the airport by Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung, and Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam.
Among Vietnamese officials who are accompanying the Vietnamese PM are those in charge of foreign affairs, planning and investment, industry and trade, national defence, public security, education and training.
This is Chinh’s first visit to Singapore after nearly five years. The visit is expected to give fresh impetus to deepening the Strategic Partnership with Singapore, one of Vietnam’s leading economic partners. It will kick-start activities to be held this year to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties and 10 years of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Upon arriving in Singapore, PM Pham Minh Chinh met with the Vietnamese Embassy's staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Singapore.
He informed them of Vietnam’s recent development achievements, and affirmed the Party and State always consider the Vietnamese community abroad, including those in Singapore, an inseparable part of the great national unity bloc and one of the driving forces behind national development,
He requested the Vietnamese expats continue abiding by law in their host country and serve as a friendship bridge between the two nations, while making more practical contributions to the fatherland.
At present, there are more than 15,000 Vietnamese nationals residing, working and studying in Singapore.
After Singapore, the Vietnamese government leader is scheduled to visit Brunei on February 10-11 at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
The Southeast Asian tour will help strengthen political trust, deepen multi-faceted cooperation, and take their relations to new heights, especially in the fields of economy, trade and investment. It will also help strengthen cooperation and coordination in addressing regional and international issues of mutual concern, including enhancing coordination within ASEAN and other regional and international forums.