The flag raising ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister (FM) Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep, and Vice Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu, among others.
Delegates attending the flag raising ceremony in Hanoi
Foreign guests at the ceremony included heads of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi and Venezuela Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, and ambassadors and embassy representatives of ASEAN member countries and ASEAN partner countries in the capital city.
Guards of honor approach positions
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son emphasized that the foundation of the ASEAN Community in 2015 is a historic milestone in the connectivity process of ASEAN. It also bears special significance to the association, the region and each member nation.
The deputy minister noted that with a population of 630 million, GDP of almost USD 3,000 billion and a growth rate of 4.7 percent in 2016, ASEAN is a driving force of the regional economy.
ASEAN flag hoisted in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
He went on to say that as a prestigious organization in Asia-Pacific, ASEAN operates basing itself on the ASEAN Charter and uniform values and principles. The ASEAN way is built on the foundation of the Oriental culture, attaching importance to solidarity and common prosperity, tolerance and harmonious interests, which helped ASEAN achieve success over the past five decades.
Deputy Minister Son highlighted that ASEAN cooperation is one of the top priorities in Vietnam’s foreign policy, and the country is proud of its active, proactive participation and considerable contributions to the cooperation process and building of the ASEAN Community. During the process, Vietnam has been involved in the drafting of major orientations for the bloc’s development. The country has also put forth many initiatives on maintaining a secure and stable environment for cooperation in the region.
Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son addressing the ceremony
The deputy minister expressed his belief the bloc will keep growing strongly and obtain greater achievements in the future.
He said in a changing world, ASEAN’s achievements of cooperation in general and of economic-trade development in particular have proved that the bloc has made the right choice in its guidelines and policies.
Delegates in a joint photo at the end of the ceremony in Hanoi
* Also on the morning of August 8, at Bach Dang Wharf Park on Ton Duc Thang street, District 1 of HCMC, the HCMC municipal People’s Committee solemnly held the ASEAN flag raising ceremony on the occasion of the 50th ASEAN founding anniversary. The ceremony was attended by leaders of the city’s municipal Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, Chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front in HCMC, representatives of departments, sectors and organizations of the city as well as consulate generals, honorary consul generals of other countries in HCMC.
Guards of honor at the ASEAN flag raising ceremony in HCMC
Delegates at the ASEAN flag raising ceremony in HCMC
Addressing the ceremony, Chairman of the HCMC municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong highlighted the establishment and the history of development of ASEAN. He stressed that with the efforts of its member nations, ASEAN would surely continue its path, reaching higher goals of connectivity for peace, security, stability and prosperity for 630 million people in the region.
Delegates in a joint photo after the ASEAN raising ceremony in HCMC
The ASEAN flag was then solemnly hoisted.
The flag raising ceremony on the annual anniversary of ASEAN has become a tradition for all ASEAN member countries, reflecting the respect for the bloc’s common value and commitment to regional people.
Translated by Chung Anh and VNA