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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met with Chairman of the ruling FRELIMO party and President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi. |
Could you please share the significance of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Mozambique and South Africa?
At the invitation of Prime Minister Adriano Maleiane of the Republic of Mozambique and Vice President Paul Mashatile of the Republic of South Africa, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan paid official visits to the Republic of Mozambique and the Republic of South Africa from September 10-17. The visit held significant importance for both Vietnam and the two countries, as evidenced by the following key points:
Firstly, this visit represents a strong implementation of the foreign policy guidelines set forth by the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, focusing on independence, self-reliance for peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations. The visit also contributes to the implementation of the "Plan for the Development of Relations between Vietnam and Countries in the Middle East and Africa Region, 2016-2025".
Secondly, the visit demonstrates our respect for Mozambique and South Africa, two traditional friends in Africa with whom we have a loyal and special relationship. Despite geographical distance, Vietnam, Mozambique, and South Africa share many similarities. These include patriotism, the courageous spirit of protecting peace and national freedom in previous decades, and the determination to build a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated country in the present period.[1]
Thirdly, the visit of the Vice President became a new milestone in strengthening bilateral relations, being the first time a high-ranking Vietnamese leader visited Mozambique after 7 years[2] and South Africa after 4 years[3]; taking place in the year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and South Africa. The visit demonstrates the determination to expand and further deepen the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Mozambique, and the Partnership for Cooperation and Development between Vietnam and South Africa.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks with Vice President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile. (Source: VNA) |
Could you please tell us the outstanding results of this important visit?
Overcoming vast geographical distances, with a rich and comprehensive schedule of activities including bilateral contacts at the Party, State, and National Assembly levels, meetings with overseas Vietnamese, trade and investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural diplomacy, the visit achieved very positive and concrete results in many areas.
Firstly, the visit contributed to further strengthening the high level of political trust between Vietnam and Mozambique and South Africa . The high-ranking leaders of both countries extended a warm and cordial welcome to the Vice President and the delegation. The leaders of the two friendly countries repeatedly expressed admiration for Vietnam's development achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, emphasizing their "brotherly" feelings and unwavering loyalty to Vietnam. In Mozambique, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks and met with all three top leaders, the President and Chairman of the ruling Frelimo Party, the Prime Minister, and the Chairman of the National Assembly, and met with the Secretary General of the Frelimo Party and the Chairman of the Maputo City Council, who is also a member of the Frelimo Party Politburo.
In South Africa, the Vice President held private meetings and talks with the Vice President, the Secretary-General, and members of the top leadership of the two main political parties: the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and the Communist Party of South Africa. He also participated in talks and contacts with leaders from key ministries and government agencies on the South African side. The leaders agreed to strengthen exchanges of delegations and high-level contacts through both Party and State channels; promote the exchange of leadership and governance experiences; continue to enhance the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms; negotiate and sign cooperation documents to strengthen the legal framework; and affirm continued coordination and mutual support in multilateral forums.
We support the two countries in cooperation with ASEAN; Mozambique and South Africa are committed to being gateways for Vietnam to cooperate with the African Union and access the African market.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Chairman of the Maputo City Council Eneas Comiche inaugurated the Ho Chi Minh Boulevard nameplate. (Source: VNA) |
Secondly, the visit created new momentum for cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries in the economic, investment, and trade sectors. The Vice President and senior leaders of both countries agreed that economic, trade, and investment cooperation has bright spots, with notable successes such as the Movitel telecommunications joint venture, the food crop development project in Mozambique, and South Africa becoming Vietnam's largest trading partner and export market in Africa; however, it is still not commensurate with the political trust and potential of both sides.
With Mozambique, the visit contributed to opening up new areas of cooperation such as transportation infrastructure development, shipbuilding, vocational training, etc., in addition to promoting sustainable and efficient development in traditional areas of cooperation such as telecommunications, agriculture, and mining. The Vice President met with the leading economic and business ministers of both countries, listened to and noted specific proposals, and outlined major directions to promote substantive and effective cooperation between the governments and businesses of the two countries.
With South Africa, Your leaders all supported our proposals to strengthen cooperation in economics, trade, tourism, education and training, agriculture, and coal and minerals. South Africa became one of the first African partners with whom Vietnam promoted negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The South African side also proactively proposed new projects such as electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and household appliances. Notably, during the visit, the Vietnam-South Africa economic cooperation seminar, held within the framework of Vietnam Day in South Africa 2023, attracted 150 representatives from ministries, sectors, businesses, and associations of both countries. Right at the seminar, pharmaceutical companies from both countries signed a cooperation agreement.
Third, cultural diplomacy activities honoring President Ho Chi Minh are a special highlight . In Mozambique, the Vice President and Mozambican friends offered flowers and inaugurated the new nameplate of the Avenue named after President Ho Chi Minh right in the heart of the capital Maputo.[4]
In South Africa, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the "Vietnam Day" program was held for the first time in South Africa, marking its first time in Africa. The Vietnamese cultural space, inaugurated by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, showcased the diverse and rich culture of Vietnam to a large audience of South African friends, as well as Africans and the international community. This demonstrated Vietnam's commitment to culture as an important channel for strengthening exchanges and connections between the people of the two countries.
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| Visitors try on ancient Nguyen Dynasty costumes at the Vietnamese Cultural Space in South Africa. |
Fourth, the Vice President paid attention to and took the time to meet with the Vietnamese communities in Mozambique and South Africa . The Vice President welcomed the Vietnamese communities in these two countries, noting that although not large, they have upheld the fine qualities of the Vietnamese people, demonstrating solidarity in overcoming difficulties, making positive contributions to the local societies, and serving as a bridge for friendly relations and cooperation between Vietnam and its host countries. The Vice President's visit and encouragement demonstrate the concern and care of the Party and State leaders for the Vietnamese community abroad, implementing Conclusion 12 of the Politburo on the work with overseas Vietnamese in the new situation. In discussions with the leaders of these countries, the Vice President requested that the host countries create favorable conditions regarding residency, work permits, etc., so that Vietnamese people can feel secure in doing business, developing, and integrating into society.
In summary, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's visit to Mozambique and South Africa was a resounding success in all aspects, receiving positive and vivid coverage from both Vietnamese and local media. I am confident that, building on the shared understandings reached during the visit between the Vice President and the high-ranking leaders of the two countries, the relevant ministries and agencies in each country will continue to coordinate and implement concrete measures to elevate the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Mozambique and South Africa to a new level, for the benefit of the people of the three countries, and to make a positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in both continents and the world.
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Minister!
[1] Vietnam was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the independence and establish diplomatic relations with Mozambique since 1975; supported South Africa in its struggle for freedom and equality and established diplomatic relations in 1993 before South Africa held its first democratic elections in 1994. The two countries also gave Vietnam heartfelt support in its cause of national defense and construction over the past decades.
[2] President Truong Tan Sang visited Mozambique in 2016.
[3] Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue visited South Africa in 2019.
[4] The avenue was named by Mozambique's first President Samora Machel in 1977 and has become a symbol of historical ties and sincere affection between generations of leaders and people of the two countries.
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