General Secretary To Lam's visit marks a new phase in Vietnam-UK relations

Photo caption

Researcher Kyril Whittaker gives an interview to a VNA reporter in the UK. Photo: Phong Ha/VNA reporter in the UK

Mr. Kyril Whittaker, a Vietnamese political historian and member of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPB), made the above comments in a recent interview with a VNA reporter in the UK ahead of the official visit of General Secretary To Lam, his wife and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation from October 28-30 at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Mr Whittaker said General Secretary To Lam’s visit, the first by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam since 2013, took place as bilateral relations had been continuously developing since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, with many positive developments taking place after the two sides signed a strategic partnership in 2010, thereby expanding cooperation compared to previous decades, bringing practical benefits to both countries.

Mr. Whittaker pointed out the achievements of cooperation in many fields, especially trade, culture- education and science. He cited British Government figures showing that in the year to the end of the first quarter of 2025, two-way trade reached 9 billion pounds (more than 12 billion USD), an increase of nearly 31% (2.1 billion pounds) over the same period last year and compared to 4.3 billion pounds in 2011. Vietnam is currently the UK's 34th largest trading partner and with further strengthening of the Strategic Partnership, two-way trade could soon exceed 10 billion pounds.

Cultural and educational cooperation has also recorded many developments. British scholars pointed out that in the UK, every year there are many events introducing the culture, cuisine and beauty of Vietnam, making more and more British people know the history, culture and style of this Southeast Asian country. In Vietnam, British culture is also introduced through English teaching, as well as through sports and cuisine.

The British scholar said that in 2013, when General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited the UK, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese General Secretary to this European country, the British Government was very impressed with the development of the Vietnamese economy with a growth rate of 6%/year, identifying this country as a country with a positive business environment for British businesses. This growth has continued since then, even in the face of challenging international developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic and US tariffs disrupting world markets. He said this further affirmed the potential for stronger development of the relationship between the two countries.

Mr. Whittaker also said that the era of national development of Vietnam will open up many opportunities for cooperation for the two countries, with continuous growth along with the development of many large-scale infrastructure projects in Vietnam. With the UK Government increasing investment in renewable energy and building a new nuclear power plant in Suffolk while Vietnam is also developing nuclear energy capacity and is in the process of large-scale green transition, the two countries can share expertise and experience in these areas.

Assessing the relationship between the Communist Parties of the two countries, Mr. Whittaker said that the two sides have a long-standing and solid relationship as the two parties established relations very early. Former General Secretary John Gollan in 1965 met President Ho, the leader known to Communist Party members during his time living and working in the UK, and met General Secretary Le Duan.

Mr. Whittaker also pointed out the support of the Communist Party of Great Britain members for Vietnam during the war against the US when they regularly organized demonstrations, published leaflets, articles, and posters in support of the independence of the Vietnamese people and the just struggle. The Communist Youth Union of Great Britain also carried out a fundraising campaign across the country to buy bicycles and provide medical aid to Vietnam through delegates attending the World Youth Festival in Bulgaria in 1968. Most recently, CPB General Secretary Robert Griffiths visited Vietnam to attend the 80th anniversary of National Day and met with members of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee. General Secretary Griffiths said that communists and people around the world can learn from Vietnam's inspiring history and spirit of solidarity. The two parties also held many meetings to discuss expanding relations and cooperation, exchanging knowledge and sharing history between the two parties.

Mr. Whittaker emphasized that the Communist Party of Great Britain highly values the theoretical development of the Communist Party of Vietnam and has published articles by Vietnamese General Secretaries in its theoretical magazine (also named Communist Magazine).

He said that the communists in the UK are very interested in the General Secretary's visit and will continue to study and learn from the theoretical and practical development of Vietnamese socialism. He affirmed that the Vietnam-UK relationship as well as the relationship between the two Communist parties will continue to be strengthened and have many opportunities for development.

Mr. Whittaker concluded that the General Secretary's visit will mark a new stage in the continuous development of relations between the two countries, helping to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two sides, thereby helping the British people understand more and learn from Vietnam.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/chuyen-tham-cua-tong-bi-thu-to-lam-danh-dau-giai-doan-moi-trong-quan-he-viet-nam-anh-20251027080153890.htm