Nation marks 61 years of diplomatic ties with China


Party, State, Government and National Assembly leaders of Viet Nam and China yesterday, Jan 18, exchanged congratulatory messages on the 61st anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The Vietnamese well-wishers included Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Chinese well-wishers included Party General Secretary and President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who is the Vietnamese chairman of the Viet Nam-China bilateral co-operation steering committee, exchanged messages with Chinese chairman of the bilateral co-operation steering committee and State Council Member Dai Bingguo and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

The Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam, Sun Guoxiang, hosted a banquet on the occasion.


Deputy PM sends condolences to Indian state after deadly stampede
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem yesterday, Jan 18, sent condolences to the Chief Minister of the southern Indian state of Kerala VS Achuthanandan over the bloody stampede that claimed at least 102 pilgrims last Friday night.

More than 60 others were also injured in the incident, which occurred in a forested area in Pulmedu as the pilgrims returned from one of India's most popular Hindu festivals.


Argentina party secretary praises Vietnam’s renewal


Vietnam’s renewal process is a source of encouragement to the struggle for socialism in Latin America, said Jorge Kreyness, Secretary in charge of International Affairs of the Communist Party of Argentina (PCA).

In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Buenos Aires on January 17, the PCA secretary said he admired the victories that the Vietnamese people have obtained during the struggle for national independence and reunification in the past as well as in the current national construction and development.
He noted that socialist construction and changes brought about by the renewal process have highlighted Vietnam’s role in the international arena. 
In recent days, PCA members have a closely followed information on the 11th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) run in PCA publications, Jorge Kreyness said.
He expressed his belief that the CPV will creatively apply the Congress’s resolutions aimed at boosting the renewal process.


National Assembly delegation visits Laos


A delegation of Vietnam National Assembly’s Economic Committee led by the committee’s Vice Chairman Le Quoc Dung is on a working visit to Laos from January 15-21.

During the meeting with the chairperson of the Lao National Assembly’s Committee of Economy, Planning and Finance, Khamsin Saynhacon, both sides compared notes socio-economic development in each country.
They shared their views on issues of mutual concerns, such as trade, investment, the Boten-Vientiane railway, hydroelectric dams in the Mekong River, and the performance of Vietnamese businesses in Laos as well as on the stock market.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Lao National Assembly’s Chairperson Pani Yathotu, Minister of Planning and Investment Sinlavong Khutphaythun and engaged in fact-finding tours of economic and cultural facilities in Vientiane and Luang Prabang province.


VNN/VOV/VNS