(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam has made remarkable progress in 2017, especially in successfully hosting more than 240 activities of the APEC Year peaked by the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang. The event rejuvenated national unity and pride in Vietnam’s international integration for the years to come.
Success of the APEC Year 2017 resulted from various factors, especially consensus among leaders and people. This has brought about national achievements over 30 years of reform.
Since the decision was made to host the APEC Year 2017, the Party and State leaders have directed all preparations as part of their long-term strategic vision towards the Asia Pacific region.
The selection of 10 cities and provinces to host APEC activities throughout the year were carefully matched to local advantages and promote their cultural identities. Da Nang serving as the host city of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in November reflected Vietnam’s image of dynamism, reform and modernity.
20 documents passed during APEC Year 2017 demonstrated Vietnam’s pioneering role in fostering consensus and determination among member states to boost economic connectivity. A strong message of open trade and investment with support of a multilateral trade system reiterated APEC’s role as an engine for growth, economic initiative and cooperation. It also served Vietnam’s implementation of its social economic strategy.
Hosting APEC Year 2017, Vietnam was the first country to welcome Chinese President and Party leader Xi Jinping soon after China’s 19th National Party Congress. Vietnam welcomed Donald Trump, the first time a seating US President visited Vietnam during his first year in office. Other state visits by the Chilean President and Canadian Prime Minister fostered Vietnamese relations with those countries. On this occasion, Vietnam has established a comprehensive partnership with Canada. Nearly 50 meetings and exchanges between Vietnamese leaders and APEC counterparts laid the foundation to further development in relations with APEC members.
These achievements were attributed to a consensus and determination by the entire people, Party’s leadership, and local implementation with support from the business community and people from all walks of life. It has been a valuable lesson well learned from Vietnam’s history of national construction and defense, including its hosting of the APEC Year in 2006 and ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010.
These successes revitalized Vietnamese people sense of pride and responsibility in comprehensive international integration. They also consolidated business confidence in international integration and projected an image of Vietnam as a trusted friend and an active and responsible member of the global community.
With momentum created after 30 years of reform and reliance on people’s will, the success of APEC Year 2017 will empower Vietnam in its further international obligations for more multilateral cooperation and higher national position in an ever-changing world.