Hanoi (VNA) – Leaders of China, Laos, Cuba, andRussia have cabled congratulatory messages to General Secretary of theCommunist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on his October 23 election as theState President of Vietnam for the remainder of the 2016-2021 tenure.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China CentralCommittee and President of China Xi Jinping said in his message that Vietnamand China are friendly neighbours and important partners of each other. Sharinglong-standing traditional friendship, bilateral ties have grown fruitfully inan effective manner, bringing practical benefits for people in both countries,he wrote.

The Chinese leader highlighted the importance that Chinaattaches to developing Vietnam-China relations and his willingness to work withParty General Secretary and President Trong in pushing the comprehensivestrategic cooperative partnership to new heights.

General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party(LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith also sent his message ofcongratulations to Trong, underlining that the election to such an importantpost showed the belief and high accreditation of the Vietnamese Party, Government,and people towards the outstanding leadership role performed by the Party chiefso far.

The Lao official said he is confident that under Trong’sleadership in his new post, Vietnam will continue obtaining more significantachievements and the Vietnam-Laos friendship, special solidarity, andcomprehensive cooperation will be further enhanced.

Similar messages were cabled to the new President of Vietnamby First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee RaulCastro Ruz, and President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of CubaMiguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

The Cuban leaders wished Trong success in his new post andaffirmed their determination to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperationwith Vietnam.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was also amongst thecelebratory senders.  His message wrotethat the result of the Vietnam National Assembly (NA)’s vote demonstrated thenew President’s high reputation during his years of serving at differenthigh-ranking Government and State posts. It also reflected an acknowledgementof the official’s contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development and theenhancement of its external diplomatic position.

Putin also highlighted the constructive talks between him andTrong in Sochi, Russia last September and expressed his belief in thefortification of the Vietnam-Russia strategic cooperation.

The Russian President wished his Vietnamese peer good healthand success in undertaking the role of State leader.

The 14th NA on October 23 elected Nguyen Phu Trong asPresident of Vietnam.  

After the results of the vote were announced, the newPresident had a swearing-in ceremony at the NA hall, vowing to stay absolutelyloyal to the nation, people, and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic ofVietnam, and to exert every effort to complete all missions assigned by theParty, State, and people. –VNA