Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership makes impressive progress: expert
The Vietnam-Australia relationship is expected to be elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which demonstrates their high political trust, an expert has said.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese during their meeting in Cambodia last year. (Photo: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) – The Vietnam-Australiarelationship is expected to be elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership,which demonstrates their high political trust, an expert has said.
The advancement will help deepen the existingcooperation pillars, while expanding the collaboration to such new areas asclimate change response, digital transformation, green economy and greenenergy, Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, from the Centre for Policy Futures at the Universityof Queensland of Australia, told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondentsin Sydney ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to Vietnam from June3-4.
According to the researcher, since Vietnam andAustralia established a strategic partnership five years ago, their cooperationin the three pillars of economy, trade and investment; education-training; andnational defence and security has made impressive progress.
Australia is now Vietnam’s seventh biggest tradepartner, while Vietnam is Australia’s 10th biggest trade partner, hesaid, adding that their bilateral trade was valued at some 16 billion USD inlate 2022, and 3.4 billion USD in the first quarter of this year.
Australia is running more than 550 projects worthnearly 2 billion USD in the Southeast Asian nation. Meanwhile, Vietnam has pourednearly 600 million USD into over 80 projects in Australia.
Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, from the Centre for Policy Futures at the University of Queensland of Australia, in the interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent. (Photo: VNA)
The third Vietnam-Australia Economic PartnershipMeeting was held last April after the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced EconomicEngagement Strategy was approved in 2021, putting forth measures to boost thebilateral economic ties.
Regarding cooperation in education-training, Haisaid as of December 2022, the number of Vietnamese students in Australia stoodat 22,000, accounting for 4% of international students in the country, makingVietnam among the top five countries sending students to Australia.
For collaboration in national defence-security, theresearcher noted that the two countries have signed many cooperation documents,established mechanisms, and organised meetings at different levels, focusing onhumanitarian and relief aid.
The two countries inked the Declaration on JointVisions for Enhancing Defence Cooperation in 2018, which emphasises theexpansion of cooperation in navigation and peacekeeping.
They held the first security dialogue at thedeputy-ministerial level in 2018, the second in December 2019 and the third in February 2023 after more than three years of hiatus due to COVID-19, said Hai.
The researcher also emphasised the need to promotecultural exchanges in order to bring the two countries closer, and suggestedAustralia present Vietnam with kangaroos as a symbol of their cultural ties./.
Queensland, Australia’s second biggest state, is developing a new international cooperation strategy, which is expected to make Vietnam one of its top five priority partner countries, local officials have unveiled.
The upcoming visit to Vietnam by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will create momentum for bilateral cooperation in such potential areas as culture, investment, labour and people-to-people exchanges, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh has said.
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.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese during their meeting in Cambodia last year. (Photo: VNA) 
Dr. Nguyen Hong Hai, from the Centre for Policy Futures at the University of Queensland of Australia, in the interview with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondent. (Photo: VNA) 
