Vietnamese PM warmly welcomed in Wellington on official visit
VOV.VN - New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a welcome ceremony in Wellington on March 11 for Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who is paying an official visit to New Zealand.
Luxon invited Chinh to the podium of honour to render the flag salute when 19-gun salutes were fired and the national flag of Vietnam was hoisted.
The two PMs then reviewed the guard of honour and held talks on measures to further promote Vietnam – New Zealand relations.
Vietnam and New Zealand established diplomatic ties in 1975 and bilateral relations have since developed positively in all areas. Vietnam is New Zealand’s 14th largest trading partner, with two-way trade turnover last year reaching US$1.3 billion. New Zealand now ranks 39th out of 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam.
Approximately 11,000 Vietnamese nationals are living, working and studying in New Zealand, serving as a bridge between the two countries.
During the March 10-11 visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold talks and meet with senior leaders of New Zealand to discuss measures to foster bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of trade, investment, labour, education - training, and agriculture.
He will also meet with New Zealand businesses and visit a number of economic and sci-tech research establishments.
