Vietnam's top leader to attend APEC summit in China

Detailed summary

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam will attend the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Shenzhen, where he is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks.

The trip, running from Nov. 17 to 20, is at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping.

The Vietnamese leader will be accompanied by his wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since its founding in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has established itself as the region's premier economic cooperation mechanism.

It continues to spearhead efforts promoting economic, trade, and investment liberalization on both regional and global scales. These initiatives have contributed to economic growth, peace, stability, and development across the Asia-Pacific.

Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

APEC focuses on three primary pillars: trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation. This final pillar emphasizes capacity building alongside equitable, sustainable development.

The forum's 21 member economies represent approximately 37% of the global population, 62% of world GDP, and 48% of global trade. Vietnam joined the bloc in 1998.

APEC members are vital to Vietnam's economy, bringing together 15 of the nation's 30 strategic and comprehensive partners.

These economies account for more than 77% of Vietnam's overall trade, nearly 81% of its foreign direct investment, and over 85% of its tourism.

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