President Trần Đại Quang (R) receives South African Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam regards South Africa as its leading partner in Africa and wishes to develop with it a “partnership for co-operation and development”, President Trần Đại Quang said. He spoke at a reception for visiting South African Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa in Hà Nội yesterday.
Quang called on South Africa to continue backing the candidacy of the Vietnamese Ambassador and the President’s Special Envoy for the post of UNESCO General Director for 2017-21, as well as the country’s efforts to run for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council during the 2020-21 tenure. 
The host suggested the African country share its experience in joining UN peace-keeping operations, transfer technologies in areas of its strength and continue teaching English to Vietnamese officials. 
Quang said he hoped the two countries would enhance their collaboration in managing and exploiting sea resources. 
He urged South African businesses to send more teams to research the market in Việt Nam, given that only three South African firms do business in Việt Nam. 
In reply, Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa stressed that his visit to Việt Nam was aimed at strengthening and expanding the bilateral partnership for co-operation and development. 
He told his host that he and Vice President Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh had agreed to forge an affiliation between the Communist Party of Việt Nam and the African National Congress (ANC). 
The guest also talked about his tour of the northern port city of Hải Phòng, where he suggested Việt Nam assist his country in shipbuilding, maritime transportation and aquaculture. 
South Africa would continue to support Việt Nam at international forums, especially the UN, he pledged.

UK treasures ties with Việt Nam

President Quang also met yesterday with Vice Speaker of the House of Commons Eleanor Laing and urged UK business to invest in Việt Nam or join local public-private-partnership projects, particularly in infrastructure, finance, banking, science and technology.
The President also noted that Việt Nam was looking forward to further support from the UK in training a high-quality workforce and teaching English. 
He suggested the UK Government continue helping Vietnamese students studying in the European country.

Việt Nam welcomes the upcoming visit of Prince William in November, Quang said.

In response, the British guest said the UK intends to deepen relationships with countries across the globe and Việt Nam plays an important role in that strategy. 
She said enhancing bilateral co-operation was the most discussed topic during her meetings with Vietnamese leaders, particularly in law making, trade, investment and education. 
Việt Nam and the UK should also enhance their work together on law enforcement and public-private co-operation, Laing added. — VNS