Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his spouse are welcomed at Kansai international airport, Osaka, Japan, to attend the upcoming G20 summit. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

TOKYO — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc spoke to Japanese media yesterday afternoon as he arrived in Japan to take part in the 14th G20 Summit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from June 27 to July 1.

This is the fourth time in more than 10 years Việt Nam has been invited to the G20 summit (the latest attendance was in July 2017 in Germany), an important multilateral forum.

PM Phúc said this showcases the international recognition of Việt Nam as a reliable partner for regional peace, security and growth, as well as an expectation that the country will continue making responsible contributions to global economic affairs.

Việt Nam’s participation also shows the growing partnership between Việt Nam and Japan, he said.

The Vietnamese Government leader said Việt Nam has made positive contributions to the agenda of the G20, especially in reinforcing multilateral trade, economic connectivity, high-quality infrastructure development, the digital economy, as well as the implementation of UN Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, climate change response, maritime environmental protection, plastic waste prevention, and women’s empowerment.

In the upcoming discussions at G20, Việt Nam will share ideas on these issues to work with the global community for a green Earth and a peaceful world thriving together where no one is left behind.

On flourishing Việt Nam-Japan relations, PM Phúc said Japan is the leading partner of Việt Nam in terms of investment, trade and tourism and also the biggest official development assistance (ODA) supplier for Việt Nam.

“Facilities built with the support of Japanese ODA loans and investment projects of Japan are present in almost all provinces and cities of Việt Nam and in many different fields,” he said, adding that the community of 300,000 Vietnamese in Japan, most of whom are students and apprentices, are an important source of skilled manpower for Việt Nam.

In the near future, PM Phúc expressed the belief that the “extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia” between Việt Nam and Japan will enter a new positive stage of development.

He urged Japanese businesses to expand in Việt Nam, especially in manufacturing, energy, information technology, smart city, services, infrastructure, modern agriculture, finance, banking and equitisation of State-owned enterprises.

South China Sea issues

The Vietnamese PM also discussed the country’s consistent viewpoint on handling disputes and tensions in the South China Sea (known East Sea by Việt Nam).

“Việt Nam will continue joining hands with the international community, including Japan, to promote maritime co-operation by various means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, towards ensuring security, maritime and overflight safety and freedom, search and rescue, crime prevention at sea, marine science research, and marine environment protection,” he said.

He pledged Việt Nam’s commitment toward more talks with concerned parties and to avoid escalating tensions in the sea and to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and soon finalise a Code of Conduct in line with international law.

PM Phúc said he highly values Japan’s contributions to maintaining peace, stability, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the sea.

He said that “as a powerful country in the region and the world and with interests in goods circulation via the South China Sea, Japan will continue demonstrating its role in safeguarding security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom, making more active contributions to peace, security, safety and prosperity in the region and the world.”

Việt Nam suggests Japan continue launching projects and a programme to enhance law enforcement at sea, and assist the country in the implementation of the marine-based economy development strategy, he said.

Responding to questions regarding the growing number of Vietnamese labourers that went to work or train in Japan, PM Phúc said he welcomes Japan’s establishment of a new status of residence, called ‘specified skilled workers’, to receive more foreign labourers, including those from Việt Nam.

He said the Vietnamese Government would step up information exchange and inspection of agencies providing and receiving guest workers of both sides, ensuring the rights and interests of Vietnamese workers in Japan, and punishing violators of related regulations. — VNS