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| Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (Photo: VGP) |
The Lao National News Agency (KPL) featured a prominent black-and-white portrait of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on its homepage, along with condolences from Lao leaders and people upon hearing the news of his passing. Lao leaders praised General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong for his dedication and intelligence in significant national liberation, unification and renovation efforts, which advanced Vietnam’s development and international standing.
Xinhua reported that Vietnamese websites switched to a black-and-white interface, and Vietnamese citizens expressed their condolences online. Both Xinhua and the Communist Party of China's People's Daily published condolences from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State.
Granma, the official organ of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, cited a post by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on social media, calling Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong a beloved comrade and sincere friend of Cuba. Cuba declared official mourning from 6 a.m. on July 20 to midnight on July 21 (Hanoi time), with a national mourning ceremony on July 22. The Cuban National Assembly observed a minute of silence in memory of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during its session on July 19.
Russian news agencies published numerous articles on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing. TASS reviewed his political career, achievements and foreign awards, such as Cuba's José Martí Order in 2012 and China's Friendship Medal in 2022. RIA Novosti and Sputnik published Russian President Vladimir Putin's condolence letter, stating that Russia would remember Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as a true friend who made significant personal contributions to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Hanoi.
Japan's NHK noted that Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong strengthened Vietnam's relations with the U.S., Russia and China, leading multi-directional diplomacy in an increasingly polarized world. NHK recalled his 2015 visit to Japan, where he met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, contributing to strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.
The Republic of Korea (RoK)'s Yonhap News Agency reviewed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's career, mentioning his 2014 state visit to the RoK. RoK's Rodong Sinmun and KCNA published leader Kim Jong-un's condolences to Vietnamese leaders and people, highlighting Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's dedication to Vietnam's development and the promotion of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Many international news agencies reported the announcement from Vietnamese state media about Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing on July 19 due to age-related illness. AFP described him as the first leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam to serve three consecutive terms since the Doi Moi (renewal) reforms of 1986. Reuters emphasized his leadership role over the past decade, during which Vietnam achieved rapid economic growth and enhanced its relationships with many countries worldwide.
The UK's Guardian highlighted his "bamboo diplomacy" approach, which combined flexibility and resilience. In 2015, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong became the first Vietnamese Communist Party leader to officially visit the U.S., meeting President Barack Obama in an historic event that laid the foundation for upgrading Vietnam-U.S. relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023.
AP described Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as the initiator of the anti-corruption campaign known as "blazing furnace," which saw thousands of corrupt officials and Party members disciplined since 2016.
AP also quoted UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed sadness at Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing, emphasizing his pivotal role in contemporary Vietnamese history and the country's strong development into one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a significant UN partner.
The Washington Post acknowledged his anti-corruption campaign efforts, aimed at reinforcing public trust in the Party’s leadership and managing one of the region's most dynamic economies. The newspaper also highlighted his 2015 U.S. visit, especially his practical policy speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, where he stated, "We should not let human rights issues hinder the relationship between our two countries."
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong passed away at 1:38 p.m. on July 19, 2024, at the age of 80. The Politburo decided to award him the Gold Star Order, Vietnam's highest honor, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation./.