Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, authorized by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, handed over 140,000 face masks to Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio on Friday to help the Northeast Asian country fight COVID-19. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (right) and Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio
at the hand-over ceremony in Ha Noi on May 8, 2020. Photo: VGP

Addressing the event, Trung highlighted that Viet Nam and Japan, as extensive and trusted strategic partners, have actively exchanged information and coordinated closely in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic at both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

He spoke highly of the measures taken by the Japanese Government to contain the pandemic and expressed sympathies over the losses caused by the pandemic in Japan.

Trung took the occasion to thank for Japan’s assistance to Viet Nam’s COVID-19 prevention and control as well as to the Vietnamese community in Japan.

The Deputy Foreign Minister expressed his belief that Japan will soon overcome the pandemic under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and his Government.

He took the occasion to congratulate Yamada upon his appointment as new Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam, asking the diplomat to coordinate closely with the Vietnamese side to foster the Viet Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership across all fields.

Ambassador Yamada extended thanks to the Government and people of Viet Nam for their valuable gift and highly valued Viet Nam’s response to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

Japan will continue working with Viet Nam in combating the pandemic, beefing up socio-economic development, and enhancing cooperation at regional and international forums, affirmed the diplomat.

Last month, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, on behalf of the Government of Viet Nam, also handed over made-in-Viet Nam face masks and medical supplies, worth US$100,000 to Japanese Embassy in Viet Nam. 

Authorized by the Prime Minister, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung handed over 50,000 medical masks to the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office./.