Santo Domingo (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation attended the inauguration of the upgraded President Ho Chi Minh Statue and laid a wreath at the statue in Santo Domingo on the morning of November 21 (local time) as part of the PM’s official visit to the Dominican Republic.

Also present at the event were Miguel Mejia, General Secretary of the United Left Movement (MIU) Party, Santo Domingo Mayor Dio Astacio, as well as ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from various countries in the Dominican Republic.

The statue is located in Ho Chi Minh Square in the centre of the city, alongside those of other world-renowned figures such as Cuban national hero José Martí, famous Cuban-Dominican general Máximo Gómez y Báez, Dominican revolutionary Maximiliano Gómez Horacio, and former South African president Nelson Mandela.

The square and statue of President Ho Chi Minh were built in 2013 with contributions from the administration of Santo Domingo, the MIU, and local residents to highlight the indomitable spirit, humane values, and moral example set by Ho Chi Minh, who heroically fought for the independence and freedom of the Vietnamese people. It also honours his contributions to the struggles for national liberation by the people of Vietnam, Latin America, and the world.

The inauguration ceremony was held solemnly, featuring the national anthems of both the Dominican Republic and Vietnam. In his speech, Mayor Dio Astacio highlighted President Ho Chi Minh as a figure who transcended all ideological boundaries, citing his famous quote "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom," which resonates in all oppressed nations around the globe.

The mayor emphasised that Vietnam, with its rich culture and history, has demonstrated its strength and resolve throughout its history. He noted that the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Statue in Santo Domingo was a recognition of the late leader's immense contributions, symbolising the strong bond between the Vietnamese and Dominican people built on mutual respect and a shared aspiration for development.

Recalling the relationship between the two nations, which was founded by President Ho Chi Minh and the Dominican Republic's President Juan Bosch, General Secretary of the United Left Movement (MIU) Party Miguel Mejia said that since the inauguration of the Ho Chi Minh Square and Statue, members of the movement and Vietnamese delegations have visited to pay homage to the late leader.

Mejia described PM Chinh's visit to the Dominican Republic as a trip of historical significance, continuing and marking an important milestone that opens a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.

Laying a wreath at the statue, PM Chinh expressed deep emotion when witnessing the profound affection of the Dominican people for President Ho Chi Minh, a hero of national liberation and a great man of culture.

He noted that the Ho Chi Minh Statue in Santo Domingo, along with the Statue of Professor Juan Bosch in Hanoi, serves as a symbol of the long-standing solidarity, friendship, and shared bonds between the two nations. They are also significant landmarks for educating future generations about the traditional relationship between the two nations and a destination for visitors to pay tribute to and honour the late leaders of the two countries.

On behalf of the Party, Government, and people of Vietnam, PM Chinh sincerely thanked Mejia, the leadership of the MIU Party, and Dominican friends for their friendship and their active contributions to Vietnam and the relationship between the two countries, two Parties, and peoples over the years.

PM Chinh expressed his admiration for the Dominican Republic's struggle for independence. He highlighted the cultural and historical similarities between the two nations and noted that his visit, the first high-level trip in nearly 20 years of diplomatic relations, will bring the bilateral relationship to a new phase of growth. Accordingly, the friendship and political relations will be strengthened and cooperation in various potential sectors will be expanded.

The PM affirmed Vietnam's deep appreciation for the solidarity, support, and assistance extended by the Dominican people during Vietnam's struggle for national liberation and unification in the past, as well as in its current process of national construction and development.

PM Chinh commended the collaboration and invaluable support from the Dominican Republic’s United Left Movement Party and Dominican friends in organising the restoration and inauguration of the upgraded Ho Chi Minh Statue.

♋ He expressed his confidence that Dominican friends will continue to preserve and promote the special significance of this meaningful symbol, like Vietnam cherishes and upholds the value of the Statue of Professor Juan Bosch in Hanoi./.