A Correspondent/Hanoi

President Truong Tan Sang of Vietnam starts a four-day official visit to Japan today in response to an invitation from Japanese Emperor Akihito.
“Through this visit, Hanoi highlights its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation for development, multilateralism and diversification, willingness to be a friend of all nations and active international integration,” said an official in Hanoi.
“The relationship between Hanoi and Tokyo has entered a new phase and is a strategic partnership with deeper trust, contributing to peace and stability in the region and over the world,” the official said.
“In the past 40 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations, leaders of the two nations have paid many bilateral visits that have consolidated their relations, enabling better mutual understanding and strengthening links between the two people,” he added. ‘The Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership agreement has set up a base for stability, co-operation and prosperity in each country, fostering mechanisms for co-operation in different fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade and investment, technology and science, security and defence, education and training, healthcare and environment preservation, and protecting and promoting  common values of the two cultures.”
As one of the world-leading economies, Japan was the first member of G-7 to recognise the regulation of market economy in Vietnam, the biggest FDI investor, and also the biggest ODA provider to Vietnam. Besides, Japan is the third biggest bilateral partner of Vietnam with a turnover of $25bn in 2013.
“Vietnam, with a history of defeating many empires in the world, is now together with Japan striving for a ‘strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific regi
on,’ ” the official said.
Speaking to Japanese media in Hanoi, ahead of his visit, President Sang said Tokyo and Hanoi had built good relations.
He hoped to use the visit to discuss raising the current bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level.
Vietnam’s business leaders will accompany the president on the visit.
Sang said he hoped to have candid discussions with the Japanese side, to try to increase investment in Vietnam.
Both Japan and Vietnam are taking part in negotiations to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact.
He expressed hope for Japan’s support in the field of maritime security. Vietnam is negotiating with Japan on  patrol ship deal.
Sang said he hoped to have more discussions with Japan to enhance Vietnam’s capability to enforce maritime law, so that his country could contribute to the region’s peace and security.
Japan is one of the priorities of Vietnam’s foreign policy, the official said.
“Furthermore, Vietnam desires to expand  relations with other regions all over the world, including the Middle East and North Africa (Mena). As a good example, in late November of 2013, Hanoi organised a Forum of Economic Co-operation between Vietnam and Mena partners. Middle Eastern investors can rely on a potential environment for business and investment in Vietnam,” said the official.
“Through this historical trip to Japan, President Sang has expressed to the region and the whole world an ‘active’ Vietnam, a country which has quickly got up from ruins of wars to gain many achievements after 20 years of innovation, building its own position and role in the world stage,” he said.
“The Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership will result in a stronger engagement between the two countries,” the official added.
“The activeness in promoting relations with the world powers, including Japan, will consolidate Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and will contribute to peace and stability in the region and around the world.”