Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam had a meeting in Kuala Lumpur on November 23 with outstanding Vietnamese nationals, intellectuals, entrepreneurs and leaders of associations from ASEAN member countries, as part of his official visit to Malaysia.

At the meeting, representatives of the Vietnamese communities reported to the Party leader on their living conditions in their respective countries. They expressed their happiness at the significant development achievements of the home country in recent times, and shared their experience, ideas, and policy suggestions, with the aim of contributing to Vietnam's development in the new era.

Professor Duong Nguyen Vu from Singapore shared his opinions on the role of science, technology, and innovation in building a modern economic foundation for the country's development in the age of technology and artificial intelligence. He proposed the establishment of a science and technology advisory council, which will serve as a research and strategic advisory body for the Party and the State on science and technology, ensuring sustainable and self-reliant development in this field. The professor emphasised that he, along with other Vietnamese scientists abroad, is always ready to support and participate in the homeland's development process.

Pham Xuan Dung, a Vietnamese businesswoman in Cambodia, recommended the Party, State, and relevant authorities to pay more attention to further developing the Vietnam Business Association in Cambodia. She affirmed that businesses are always ready to offer practical support to improve the quality of life for the Vietnamese community in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Dinh Thanh Huong, a representative of the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global), highlighted the importance of scientific research in building a foundation for science, innovation, and driving the outstanding development of nations. Proposing the Party and State strengthen efforts in training high-quality human resources, she stressed that thousands of Vietnamese experts and intellectuals living and working around the world in various fields, including semiconductor and artificial intelligence, always look towards Vietnam and wish to contribute more to the country’s development process.

Party General Secretary To Lam informed participants about the country's overall development situation, emphasising that the coming period will be a phase of concentrating efforts for a critical strategic opportunity, and accelerating progress to achieve the goals set by the Party, and create a new era - the era of the nation's rise.

He affirmed that the contributions and united efforts of the Vietnamese community abroad are of great significance in realising the country’s development goals.

The top leader affirmed that the Party and State always care about the Vietnamese community abroad, viewing it as an inseparable part, a vital resource and the "flesh and blood" of the nation. He expressed his deep respect for the devoted and responsible contributions of overseas Vietnamese to the country.

Lam also encouraged them to continue serving as a bridge in strengthening relations between Vietnam and other countries, thus bringing practical benefits to all parties and contributing to the development of each nation.

🎉 He requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, relevant ministries, and Vietnamese representative offices abroad to listen to ideas and recommendations by the overseas Vietnamese community, and accompany and support them./.