Hanoi (VNA) ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ- Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Luong Cuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on July 23 for Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo who came to say goodbye at the end of his tenure.

During the reception, Cuong thanked the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee for early sending condolences to the Party, State and people of Vietnam after Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away. In particular, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping on July 20 came to the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing to offer condolences and write in the condolence book. The Chinese diplomat expressed his deep sympathy over the death of the Vietnamese Party leader, who he described as a consistent Marxist and a great leader of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, a close comrade and sincere friend of the Party and State and people of China. He went on to say that the passing of General Secretary Trong is a huge loss for the Party, State and people of Vietnam, and also for the Party, State and people of China. The Ambassador believed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will turn sorrow into the will to act, constantly strive and reap new achievements in the cause of Doi Moi and socialism building, successfully realising the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, moving towards the successful organisation of the 14th National Party Congress. The two sides appreciated the strong and substantive development of relations between the two Parties and two countries in all fields, especially after the two historic visits of the two Party General Secretaries in 2022 and 2023 and the two countries' consensus to build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. They agreed that political trust has been consolidated while exchanges on the Party channel have been enhanced, defining the strategic direction for the overall relationship between the two countries in various fields. Vietnam maintains its position as China's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China's 5th biggest trading partner, while China is Vietnam's largest trading partner. The two sides agreed to coordinate more closely and make joint efforts to well implement the high-level common perception reached between the two Parties and two countries, notably those made during the China visit by Party General Secretary Trong in October 2022 and the visit to Vietnam by Party General Secretary and President Xi in December 2023, and continue to elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and build the Vietnam - China community with a share future. Cuong lauded the ambassador's contributions which helped to bring the relationship between the two Parties and two countries to new heights and promote cooperation in all fields between the two countries. He affirmed the consistent policy of the Party and State of Vietnam to give top priority to developing relations with China. Vietnam wishes to continue to strengthen the traditional friendship as both comrades and brothers between the two Parties and two countries, he said. Ambassador Xiong Bo thanked the leaders of the Party, State and relevant agencies of Vietnam for creating favourable conditions for him to successfully complete his assigned tasks during his term. He reiterated that the Chinese side supports Vietnam's development and strategic autonomy, and stands ready to increase the exchange of experiences in Party building, national development, and corruption prevention and control./.