In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in London, Kyril Whittaker, a British researcher of Vietnamese politics and history and member of the Communist Party of Britain (CPB), stated that the visit, made at the invitation of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will be the first by a Vietnamese Party General Secretary since 2013. It takes place at a time when the bilateral relationship is continuing to flourish since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973 and has seen remarkable progress following the signing of the Strategic Partnership in 2010, bringing tangible benefits to both sides.
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Kyril Whittaker, a British researcher of Vietnamese politics and history and member of the Communist Party of Britain |
Whittaker pointed out cooperation achievements across various sectors, particularly in trade, culture - education, and science. Two-way trade reached 9 billion GBP (over 12 billion USD) in 12 months to the end of Quarter 1 this year, surging nearly 31% as compared to the same time last year, he said, citing the U.K. Government’s statistics. Vietnam is currently the 34th largest trading partner of the European country and the trade revenue could exceed the 10 billion GBP milestone soon.
Cultural and educational cooperation has also seen remarkable progress. Whittaker stated that the U.K. regularly hosts events showcasing Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and beauty, giving the public a better insight into the Southeast Asian nation’s history, culture, and style. Meanwhile, the British culture has been introduced to Vietnam through English language teaching, sports, and cuisine.
Recalling Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s trip to the U.K. in 2013, the first by a Vietnamese Party chief, he said the U.K. was impressed by Vietnam’s 6% annual economic growth and its positive business climate for U.K. enterprises. Despite global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. tariff measures, Vietnam has maintained this growth momentum, further underscoring the potential for stronger bilateral ties.
Vietnam’s new era, the era of the nation’s rise, he said, will open up multiple cooperation opportunities for both sides, especially in infrastructure projects. As the U.K. is investing heavily in renewable energy and building a new nuclear power plant in Suffolk county and Vietnam is advancing its nuclear power capabilities and large-scale green transition, both sides could share expertise and experience in the areas, he suggested.
Whittaker also highlighted the long-standing ties between the two communist parties, highlighting the CPB members’ support for Vietnam during the struggle for national independence. He noted that recent exchanges, including CPB General Secretary Robert Griffiths’s attendance at Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebrations, have further strengthened the bilateral relations.
The CPB highly valuates the theoretical development of the CPV and has published articles by Vietnamese General Secretaries in its own theoretical journal, he said, adding British communists are closely following Party General Secretary Lam’s upcoming visit and will continue to study Vietnam’s theoretical and practical development in socialism building.
He expressed his confidence that the Vietnam - U.K. relations as well as the ties between the CPV and the CPB will be consolidated and boast opportunities for development.
Source: VNA