Diplomats emphasise importance of cultural diplomacy
Cultural diplomacy helps further strengthen political and economic partnerships and should be promoted in the time to come, diplomats said on the sidelines of the 29th Diplomatic Conference.
Participants at the 29th Diplomatic Conference (Photo: VGP)
Hanoi (VNA)꧃ – Cultural diplomacy helps further strengthen political and economic partnerships and should be promoted in the time to come, diplomats said on the sidelines of the 29th Diplomatic Conference which is taking place in Hanoi from August 22-26.
Head of the Vietnamese delegation to ASEAN, Ambassador Nguyen Hoanh Nam said the Socio-Cultural Community is one of the three pillars of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has the goal of building a community of nations living in harmony, solidarity and sharing. The community centres around the people and works for the health, welfare and better living environment of the people, while creating a shared identity of the region.
Towards this goal, cultural diplomacy should be further promoted, the Ambassador said, noting that ASEAN countries in general and Vietnam in particular, should take measures to increase cultural diplomatic programmes, not only at governmental level but also at people-to-people level.
Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, senior advisor to the Secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), emphasized that cultural diplomacy is an indispensable source of “soft power” in the context of world and regional situations facing numerous challenges to peace and security.
“The more cultural exchanges we engage in, the better we understand and respect each other, and it will assist with efforts to safeguard peace and security of each country as well as of the region and the world,” the Ambassador said.
She noted that cultural diplomacy will be one of the key tasks in 2017, as APEC leaders have urged its member economies to organize cultural exchanges during the year.
Vietnam’s national APEC committee has discussed ways to promote the country’s image and culture, according to Ambassador Nga.
“I think the economies should enhance their bonds by getting to know more about each other’s culture, which will strengthen not only mutual understanding and friendship but also the bonds among their people,” she said.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh noted that when looking into Vietnam’s ties with other countries, including the US, it can be seen that cultural diplomacy is one of the channels that create stronger links between political and economic partners.
According to the ambassador, all diplomats should know thoroughly the nation’s history, culture and land in order to promote the national image and ties with other countries.-VNA
External activities need to be further improved in order to defend the country’s supreme interests, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.
The 29th Diplomatic Conference opened in Hanoi on August 22 with the purpose of seeking measures to increase the efficiency of external activities and international integration.
International economic integration promotion is a focal task of the diplomatic sector, and external activities in other spheres must facilitate economic diplomacy, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said
An external policy of peace, self-reliance, multilateralising and diversifying ties has allowed Vietnam to maintain peace and expand equal and win-win cooperation with big countries globally.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Participants at the 29th Diplomatic Conference (Photo: VGP)
