Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet with the press and announce the establishment of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

At Thursday’s regular press conference in Hanoi, Ms. Hang answered reporters' questions about the major cooperation directions of the freshly announced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

She said the upgrade of relations is a natural development step and in line with the level of relationship between the two countries after more than 50 years of development, for the common interests and aspirations of the people of the two nations and for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity.

This outcome embodies the practical implementation of Vietnam's foreign policy outlined in the resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, particularly in further strengthening and deepening relations with partners, especially strategic partners, comprehensive partners, important partners, and traditional friends, the spokesperson said.

She added that Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification of international relations, and a "four nos" defense policy, and is a responsible member and reliable partner of the international community.