State President Truong Tan Sang on November 11 met with Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and overseas Vietnamese working and studying in the state.

At the reception for Mr Sang, who is attending the 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), Governor Abercrombie briefed his guest on the preparation for the forum and expressed his delight at the development of the relationships between Vietnam and the US and particularly Hawaii. He said he hopes the US state will foster ties with Vietnam in tourism and people-to-people exchange.

 President Sang appreciated Hawaii’s efforts in hosting the APEC summit and urged both sides to fully tap their potential to increase two-way trade and cooperation in tourism, education, training, and hotel management.

While working with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, President Sang confirmed that Vietnam considers the US as its strategic partner. He appreciated Ms Clinton’s contribution to the development of the Vietnam-US relationship for mutual benefit and for the sake of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world as a whole. He also conveyed his regards to US President Barrack Obama and invited Ms Clinton to visit Vietnam again.

For her part, the US Secretary of State affirmed the US’s policy of strengthening multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam and raising bilateral relations to a new height towards a strategic partnership.

The US will work closely with concerned parties to ensure maritime safety and security, she said, adding that the country backs peaceful settlement of East Sea issues in compliance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

She said the US opposes the use of force to address the issues and supports concerned nations’ legitimate rights to exploit natural resources in their exclusive economic zones.

The US welcomes efforts to formulate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea, she stressed.

During a working session with US leading economic groups, Mr Sang praised their contributions to Vietnam-US economic, trade, and investment cooperation. He said Vietnam will do its best to improve its investment and business environment to create incentives for foreign businesses. He also asked them to lobby for the US’s early recognition of Vietnam’s full market economy and grant of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) to the Southeast Asian nation.

Representatives of the US businesses hailed Vietnam’s efforts to contain inflation and ensure food security, and expressed their hope to expand their operation in the country.

While meeting with overseas Vietnamese working and living in Hawaii, the State leader spoke highly of their contributions to the homeland. He urged Vietnamese expatriates to maintain their traditional identity while integrating into their new resident society.

 VOV