Malaysian PM hopes to enhance strategic partnership with Vietnam
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in an interview granted to Vietnamese press during his ongoing visit to Vietnam that Malaysia looks forward to enhancing the strategic partnership with Vietnam in a tangible way so that both countries will benefit.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in aninterview granted to the Vietnamese press during his ongoing visit to Vietnamthat Malaysia looks forward to enhancing the strategic partnership with Vietnamin a tangible way so that both countries will benefit.
The PMnoted that Vietnam has changed a lot, becoming more active and much greatereffective than when he visited the last time in 1998.
“And interms of economic growth, you have done extremely well, growing up to 7 percentper year,” Mahathir said, adding that he thought Vietnam has made much progresscompared with other ASEAN countries and may overstep Malaysia.
On the Malaysia-Vietnam strategic partnership,the Malaysian PM said the two countries already have 33 partnership agreements,but they need to focus on various areas where each has got its own strength.
He notedthat Vietnam certainly has a bigger population thanMalaysia, and big population means big market.
“Although the per capita income is not highbut we have noticed that big population with people hardworking, skillful, willcontribute very much to the growth of the economy,” he said, noting that forMalaysia, to have a partner with a big population is important because it is atrading nation and the bigger the market, the bigger the opportunity to tradeand also to invest.
Remarking thatMalaysian companies have been very active in Vietnam, PM Mahathir said he believesthat in the future there will be more investment in Vietnam.
“So we lookforward to enhancing the strategic partnership in a very tangible way so thatboth countries will benefit,” he said.
He pointed to agriculture as a potentialarea. Malaysia is buying rice and a number of vegetable products from Vietnam,and is looking to importing more agricultural products, he said, adding that Malaysia is alsointerested in investing in agricultural sector in Vietnam so that the countrycan obtain regular supply from Vietnam.
Asked about what Malaysia and Vietnam coulddo together to contribute to maintaining peace and security in the region aswell as strengthening ASEAN’s centrality, PM Mahathir said what happens in theEast Sea affect both countries, and the movement of vessels through the EastSea is important to both Malaysia and Vietnam. He underlined the need to avoidconfrontation, stressing that “if there are some problems, we need to sit downtogether, and discuss and try to solve the problem in a peaceful way.”
The PM emphasizedthat he hopes the sea will be free for navigation all the time.–VNA
Major newspapers of Malaysia carried various articles ahead of the upcoming official visit to Vietnam of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his spouse, which will take place on August 27-28.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Hanoi on August 26 night, starting his official visit to Vietnam on August 27-28 at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived in Hanoi on August 26, beginning his official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad witnessed a signing ceremony of cooperative agreements between the two countries in Hanoi on August 27.
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.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (Photo: VNA) 
