Phnom Penh (VNA) – The General Association of Vietnamese Cambodians (GAVC) convened its second congress for the 2016-2021 tenure in Phnom Penh on September 16, with the participation of 126 delegates representing members in 25 cities and provinces across the country.
GAVC President for 2011-2016 Chau Van Chi said the association has set up 19 executive boards in Cambodian cities and provinces, and representative boards in five other localities in the country. More than 11,100 people joined the association between 2011 and 2015.
The association has paid heed to relations with Cambodian authorities at all levels to garner their support in protecting legitimate rights and interests of the Vietnamese community in accordance with local law, while enhancing coordination with ministries and agencies back in the homeland, he said.
It has also placed importance on cultural, educational and charitable activities, along with human resources development, Chi added.
Regarding the GAVC’s operation orientations in the time ahead, he said the association will propose competent agencies at home continue granting higher education scholarships to Vietnamese students in Cambodia, and call on Vietnamese localities to help with the construction of schools and communal houses for Vietnamese communities in Cambodia.
Speaking at the congress, Ambassador Thach Du affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State consistently consider overseas Vietnamese an integral part of the nation.
The diplomat expressed his belief that the Vietnamese community in Cambodia will be more stable and further develop in the coming time.
The congress re-elected Chau Van Chi as President of the new 68-member Executive Committee for 2016-2021.
The GAVC was set up in February, 2003 and a provisional executive committee made its debut in early 2008. At present, the association is an official member of the National Council of Solidarity Fronts for the Development of Cambodia’s Motherland and a member of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association.-VNA