Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in Hanoi, October 19, 2020. (Photo: Nhu y/tienphong.vn)

At a reception for Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in Hanoi on Monday, Mr. Trong said Vietnam has consistently defined Japan as one of its most important and long-term strategic partners with a high-level of trust.

He praised Japan’s stances on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) including the settlement of disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, particularly the 1982  UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Prime Minister Suga lauded Vietnam’s effective and responsible actions as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and ASEAN Chair for 2020 and affirmed that Japan will continue to cooperate closely with Vietnam on international forums. He said he supports Vietnam’s and ASEAN’s stances on the East Sea issue.

Mr. Suga hailed Vietnam’s achievements during the renewal process and successful control of COVID-19.