Pride and determination

At the opening ceremony of the 32nd Diplomatic Conference, looking back at the first half of the term implementing the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress on foreign affairs in general and diplomacy in particular, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong emphasized that we "feel proud of our country, of our homeland and see the correctness of the Party's foreign policy."

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong receives a bouquet of flowers from Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on the occasion of attending and delivering a keynote speech at the 32nd Diplomatic Conference on December 19. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Looking back is also a way to move forward, determined to complete the remaining half of the term to achieve a complete victory, in line with the General Secretary's directive to "build and develop a modern, strong, and comprehensive Vietnamese foreign policy and diplomacy, deeply rooted in the Vietnamese bamboo identity."

In the final days of 2023, Ambassadors and Heads of Representative Offices of Vietnam gathered from all over the world at the "common home" of diplomacy, for a celebration of those in the profession. Many who had been away from home and had the opportunity to return were taken aback by the sudden, biting cold of the Northeast monsoon winds that swept across the capital.

Happiness, pride, and overflowing enthusiasm are also the most noticeable qualities in them, radiating from their smiles, gestures, the stories they tell each other and with everyone, in all their meetings... Happy with the mission of "bringing the bell to ring in a foreign land," proud of the "sweet fruits" after so much hardship and difficulty, and brimming with passion for the road ahead with countless plans and projects.

Outstanding highlights

"Proud!" That's the feeling everyone will have when picturing the picture of Vietnam's foreign relations over the past nearly three years, summarized by the overall assessment of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Since the National Foreign Affairs Conference (December 2021), the diplomatic sector, along with other sectors and levels, has successfully organized 45 visits by key leaders to neighboring countries, important partners, and traditional friends, and nearly 50 visits by leaders of other countries to Vietnam. These include historic visits such as the visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and visits to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden… creating a new qualitative leap in our country's foreign relations and international integration.

At the same time, the framework of relations with many important partners has been elevated to a new level, political trust with many countries has been firmly consolidated, and cooperation is becoming increasingly broader, more substantive, and more effective.

On the multilateral stage, Vietnam's international standing and prestige continue to be enhanced. Vietnam has been successfully fulfilling many important international responsibilities, playing a significant role in numerous important multilateral organizations and forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, the Mekong sub-region, APEC, AIPA, IPU, UNESCO, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), the Belt and Road Summit, etc. At the same time, it has made responsible contributions to common global issues such as combating climate change, food security, peacekeeping in Africa, and providing timely humanitarian assistance to countries affected by natural disasters and conflicts.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech at the conference. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

“With the results and achievements attained from the beginning of this term to date, especially in 2023, I believe and hope that, in the coming time, despite continuing to face many new difficulties and challenges, the generations of foreign affairs and diplomatic officials nationwide will certainly continue to demonstrate the intellect, courage, ethics, and character of the diplomacy of the Ho Chi Minh era and continue the tradition of resilient yet peaceful foreign relations of the Vietnamese nation, continuing to innovate, build, and develop a modern, strong, and comprehensive Vietnamese foreign affairs and diplomacy, deeply imbued with the identity of the “Vietnamese bamboo”; even more worthy of its pioneering role in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland; contributing together with the whole country to successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party.”

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong delivered a speech at the 32nd Diplomatic Conference.

Foreign affairs and diplomacy have played a pioneering role in mobilizing external resources, making significant contributions to effectively controlling the Covid-19 pandemic and restoring and developing the socio-economic sector. Economic diplomacy activities have expanded and deepened economic cooperation with many partners, contributing to ensuring macroeconomic stability and major balances, promoting economic growth, boosting exports and imports, and attracting many new resources, including FDI, ODA, science and technology... bringing Vietnam into the group of the world's 40 largest economies and the top 20 in terms of trade and attracting foreign investment…

That picture is a bright spot in the overall achievements of the country. "It can be said that never before has the position, prestige, and image of an independent, self-reliant, dynamically developing Vietnam – a loyal and sincere friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member – been as prominent on the international stage as it is today," General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong assessed at the Conference.

The diplomatic identity of "Vietnamese bamboo"

Success doesn't come naturally, and it certainly can't be achieved easily in a world with major changes, complex and multifaceted developments, and unpredictable outcomes. According to Minister Bui Thanh Son, the "lighthouse" guiding foreign policy and diplomacy is: the Party's 13th National Congress's foreign policy guidelines, the directives of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Party and State leaders, especially the directives of the General Secretary at the National Foreign Affairs Conference, while also strongly promoting the unique diplomatic identity of "Vietnamese bamboo."

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong used the very familiar and simple image of the Vietnamese bamboo tree, yet it vividly and concisely reflects the core and overarching content of the Party and State's foreign policy: a firm root, a strong trunk, and flexible branches.

Vietnam's comprehensive and modern diplomacy, deeply rooted in the "Vietnamese bamboo" spirit, has thus become a guiding principle for every diplomat serving abroad. As shared by the Vietnamese Ambassador to the US, Nguyen Quoc Dung, "the certainty in our diplomatic strategy and the flexibility in its implementation have enabled Vietnam to express its views and take steps in line with general trends, thereby gaining more friends and partners."

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that the school of foreign policy and diplomacy is very distinctive and unique, deeply rooted in the "Vietnamese bamboo" identity, and is increasingly recognized internationally. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

A guiding light for the path ahead.

The five key directions for the diplomatic sector, summarized by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in his opening speech at the Conference, are very important directions that "the entire diplomatic sector must seriously and fully absorb, promptly concretize the directives into programs, projects, action plans and organize their effective implementation," Minister Bui Thanh Son stated in his acceptance speech.

Firstly, we must continue to adhere closely to the Resolution and foreign policy guidelines of the 13th National Congress and the resolutions of the Central Committee, the leadership and guidance of the Politburo and the Secretariat, the Action Program of the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; strengthen the work of grasping the situation, analyzing, forecasting, and promptly advising on adjustments and additions to new trends and emerging issues in order to concretize, build, and organize the strict and effective implementation of specific programs and plans of each agency and unit in a synchronized, scientific, systematic, and unified manner with high determination and great efforts of the entire political system!

Secondly, we must always pay attention to seamlessly combining the strength of the nation with the strength of the times; harmoniously handling the relationship between national interests and international obligations and responsibilities.

Thirdly, we must always be firm in our principles and flexible in our strategies.

Fourth, we must always focus on building unity and consensus throughout the Party, the army, and the people, as President Ho Chi Minh advised: "The cause is accomplished through unity."

Fifth, we must pay more attention to and do a better job of improving the organizational structure and building a comprehensive team of foreign affairs officials who are strong in character, qualities, ethics, and intellect; modern in working methods and styles; professional in demeanor and conduct; and proficient in their professional skills and foreign languages.

In addition to the directives of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the Conference also absorbed the guidance of Party and State leaders to jointly discuss and propose programs, projects, and measures for the synchronized, creative, and effective implementation of foreign affairs work.

According to Minister Bui Thanh Son, the results of the Conference not only provide direction for the work of the Ministry in the next 2-3 years, but also serve as preparation for summarizing 40 years of implementing the foreign policy of the đổi mới (renovation) period and building the foreign policy content of the 14th Party Congress. It also serves as preparation for Ambassadors and Heads of Representative Offices returning to their respective territories after the Conference. With pride and love for their homeland, the diplomats are determined to overcome all challenges and realize all their aspirations, regardless of the continent or the difficulties they face.

We will miss the pleasant chill of Hanoi in the months leading up to Tet, we will miss our homeland, family, and loved ones… However, “diplomats and foreign affairs activists must always remember that behind them is the Party, the Country, and the People,” as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong advised at the National Foreign Affairs Conference exactly two years ago.

“Identifying local foreign affairs as one of the important components of foreign policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the spirit of service, always valuing coordination, support, guidance, and companionship with localities in all areas of political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, border and territorial issues, foreign relations traditions, work related to Vietnamese people abroad, and citizen protection... Thanks to this, it has contributed to ensuring that local foreign affairs closely adhere to the foreign policy guidelines and policies of the Party and the State, while promoting the socio-economic development of localities.” Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stated at the 21st National Foreign Affairs Conference.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hoi-nghi-ngoai-giao-32-hoi-nghi-ngoai-vu-21-tu-hao-va-quyet-tam-254682.html