Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his hope that South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) will maintain close coordination, providing a solid political foundation that helps steer and facilitate cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chin (left) and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula at their meeting in Johannesburg on the afternoon of November 21 (local time).

At a meeting with ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula in Johannesburg on the afternoon of November 21 (local time), the PM called on the two Parties to keep strengthening political trust.

The meeting took place as part of PM Chinh’s trip to attend the G20 Summit and conduct bilateral engagements in South Africa.

PM Chinh conveyed regards from General Secretary To Lam and the leadership of the CPV to the ANC’s President, Secretary General, and members.

The PM praised the ANC’s role in leading democratic and patriotic forces to dismantle all forms of discrimination and oppression, and to build a unified, democratic South Africa.

He said the CPV and the ANC share broad common ground in their ideals and their struggles against colonialism and racial discrimination.

He recalled the first friendly contacts between the two Parties at the 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia, calling them an important foundation for the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa.

The leader said he was pleased to see the ANC continuing to anchor South Africa’s Government of National Unity, underscoring its steering role at a time of significant regional and global volatility.

He highlighted the strong recent development of bilateral relations and Party-to-Party ties, marked by frequent exchanges and visits between leaders.

Notable milestones include the April 2025 high-level phone conversation between General Secretary Lam and President of the ANC and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, which set major directions for the relationship, and President Ramaphosa’s state visit to Vietnam in October 2025.

PM Chinh emphasised that his ongoing trip sends a strong affirmation of the long-standing, trusting friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and countries.

Touching upon the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership during this trip, the leader said he believes this marks a historic milestone, opening a new phase in bilateral relations, and called on the ANC, in its capacity, to encourage South African ministries and agencies to implement the cooperation framework.

The PM called on the two Parties to continue strengthening political trust, focus on effectively implementing their memorandum of understanding on cooperation signed in May 2025, and enhance exchanges and visits across channels and levels, especially the high level.

He urged them to step up the sharing of experience in leadership and Party building, as well as in addressing national socio-economic issues, while boosting economic, trade, and investment cooperation in a practical, efficient manner that leverages each side’s resources and strengths to complement each other for development.

Regarding national development strategy, he also called on the ANC and South Africa to cooperate with and support Vietnam in achieving its centennial goals.

The PM also urged the two sides to actively coordinate and support each other more strongly in international multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and G77, contributing to global peace, security, and stability, promoting international cooperation to tackle common challenges, and safeguarding the legitimate interests of developing countries.

For his part, Secretary General Mbalula congratulated Vietnam and lauded its impressive socio-economic achievements in recent years under the leadership of the CPV, notably sustainable growth, effective poverty reduction, and strong international integration.

He called Vietnam a model for developing countries and agreed on measures to foster bilateral ties, including strengthening economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and mutual support in multilateral forums.

The ANC will continue to work closely with the CPV to advance the implementation of the new partnership framework, contributing to regional peace and development, he pledged.

He said alongside maintaining and promoting good political ties, the two Parties should work to deepen practical cooperation across all areas, particularly economy.

Mbalula affirmed the ANC’s commitment to working with the CPV to continue building the bridge of solidarity, grounded in lasting trust, to overcome challenges together.

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