Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly (sitting) writes on the book of condolences at the tribute-paying ceremony for former PM Phan Van Khai in Phnom Penh (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) –The Vietnamese embassies in Cambodia, China, India and the Republic of Koreaand South Africa have held ceremonies to pay tribute to former Prime MinisterPhan Van Khai who passed away on March 17.
In Cambodia, localauthorities and the Vietnamese community came to the embassy in Phnom Penh topay homage to the late PM.
A Cambodian RoyalGovernment delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly. Writing onthe book of condolences, he showed thankfulness to former PM Khai for hisefforts to reinforce the Vietnam-Cambodia cooperation.
He expressed deepsympathy to the family of former PM Khai as well as Ambassador Vu Quang Minh.
Yim Chhay Ly stressedthat Cambodian people always keep in their mind the services of former PM Khaiwho made important contributions to the development of Cambodia.
The ceremony also sawa delegation from the Cambodia’s Senate led by Vice President Tep Ngorn, and anotherfrom the National Assembly led by Vice President Nguon Nhil.
A similar ceremony wasalso held at the Vietnamese General Consulate in Kunming, the capital city ofChina’s Yunnan province, which was attended by Zhang Guohua, Deputy Governor ofthe province who led a delegation of local authorities to pay homage to thelate Vietnamese leader.
Consul Generals of anumber of countries in Yunnan, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia,Myanmar and Bangladesh also came to pay homage to former PM Khai.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi,Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V.K Singh came to the VietnameseEmbassy to pay homage to former PM Khai and wrote on the funeral book. Heconveyed deep sympathy to the family of the late leader as well as theGovernment and people of Vietnam.
In a meeting withAmbassador Ton Sinh Thanh later, Singh recalled contributions of former PM Khaito the development of Vietnam.
Representatives ofdiplomatic corps, organisations as well as the Buddhist community in India alsocame to commemorate the late leader.
On March 20-21, theVietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea held a memorial service for formerPM Phan Van Khai.
Extending condolencesto Vietnam over the passing away of the former leader, Deputy Foreign Minister ChoHyun said that former PM Khai will be remembered as a great leader of Vietnamand Asia.
On March 21, the Departmentof International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa issued a pressrelease stating that South Africa extends condolences to Vietnam over the deathof former PM Phan Van Khai.
The document highlightedgreat contributions of the late leader to the national construction anddevelopment of Vietnam, as well as his role in boosting the growth of theVietnam-South Africa ties.
In 2004, the lateleader visited South Africa, and he and then President Thabo Mbeki held talksand set up the Vietnam-South Africa inter-governmental partnership forum oneconomic, trade, science, technology and culture cooperation, it noted.
South African PresidentCyril Ramaphose also sent a message of condolences to the Government of Vietnam.
Former Politburo member and foꦬrmer Prime Minister Phan Van Khai passed away at1:30 on March 17 at Cu Chi, Ho Chi Minh City, aged 85. - VNA
