Deputy PM arrives in Nanning for China-ASEAN Expo; PM Dung to attend ASEAN summit in Thailand; Former military minors meet; Vice President visits Song Long Cooperative

In the afternoon, Mr Hung held talks with Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang who described Mr Hung’s visit as a vivid manifestation of the time-honoured friendship and cooperative relations between China and Vietnam.

China attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and relationship with Vietnam which is an important partner of China, said Mr Li.

For his part, Mr Hung congratulated China on the great achievements the Chinese people have made during the past 60 years, especially 30 years of implementing the open door and reform policy. He highly valued China’s initiatives to organise such expos in Nanning to increase investment and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN.

Both host and guest expressed their pleasure at the new developments in relations between the two Parties and States since Vietnam and China established the strategic comprehensive cooperation partnership in May 2008.

They welcomed the results of a recent meeting between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Premier Wen Jiabao in Chongqing city and the completion of land border demarcation and landmark planting between the two countries to build a common borderline of peace, friendship , cooperation and development.

They affirmed that the two countries will continue to seek fundamental and long-term solutions to sea-related issues to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

They agreed that both countries should work closely to organise activities within the framework of the 2009 Vietnam-China Friendship Year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Mr Hung thanked the Chinese Government and people for their valuable assistance to the Vietnamese people and proposed that China create favourable conditions for border provinces of the two countries to promote cooperation.

After talks, Mr Hung and leaders of the participating countries inspected preparations for the expo at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

At this expo, 110 Vietnamese companies will showcase high-quality products, including farm produce, cooking, woodworks and handicrafts on 192 stands. Vietnam has the largest number of businesses taking part in the event among ASEAN member countries.

PM Dung to attend ASEAN summit in Thailand

A Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the 15th ASEAN Summit and related meetings to be held in Thailand from October 23-25.

The related meetings will include the ASEAN+1 summit (between ASEAN and each of its partners: China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and India), the ASEAN+3 summit (between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The invitation was made by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Former military minors meet

Some 200 alumni of the former Vietnam Military Minors School met in Hanoi on October 18 to mark the school’s foundation 60 years ago.

The meeting was honoured with the presence of State President Nguyen Minh Triet, who showed his deep emotion at recalling the tradition of hard study and sacrifice for the nation by the underage veterans.

The Vietnam Military Minors School (former the Central Military Minors School) was inaugurated in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on October 1, 1949.

The school had fulfilled the target of training well-educated and politically-armed successors for the army and other civil sectors.

The liaison board of the school alumni has so far expanded its network to 19 provinces and cities with an estimated 600 members.

Vice President visits Song Long Cooperative

On October 17, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan held a working session with the Song Long Cooperative in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi.

Since its establishment in 1960, the Cooperative has been conferred the Labour Hero title. It specializes in producing plastic products, including home appliances and motorbike accessories. “Song Long plastic” has become a reliable trademark in both local and foreign markets. More than 500 types of products bearing the Song Long plastic brand are on sale in Vietnam, Laos and China.

After visiting the Song Long Cooperative factory in Pho Noi A industrial zone in the northern province of Hung Yen the same day, Ms Doan stated she was pleased at the remarkable achievements recorded by the Cooperative in recent years.

The Cooperative’s industrial value has risen by up to 66 percent annually, earning a profit of 51 percent. Its contribution to the State budget has increased by 79 percent, and its members’ average income by 13 percent per annum. In the first eight months of 2009, the Song Long Cooperative earned nearly VND410 billion and contributed VND13 billion to the State Budget.

PV