Ho Chi Minh City celebrates 50th anniversary of the Vietnam – Japan diplomatic relationship
Thursday, 21/09/2023 14:36 (GMT+7)
Relations with Japanese localities in particular, and Japanese partners in general, are always one of Ho Chi Minh City’s top priorities, not only because of affection and support from Japan to the city, but also for the strong affection and support of the city's people for Japan and the Vietnam-Japan cooperative relationship, according to Chairman of the City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai.
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| Mr. Mai congratulates Consul General Ono Masuo at the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. (Photo: SGGP) |
On September 20, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee held a meeting to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam – Japan diplomatic relationship.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Mai said that among the achievements the two countries have made over five decades, more than 70 cooperation documents have been signed by localities of the two countries to strengthen links and mutual support for development. “Ho Chi Minh City is proud to contribute nearly one tenth of this number, with cooperation documents established with 7 Japanese localities of Aichi, Hyogo, Nagano, Shiga, Osaka, Osaka and Yokohama,” said Mr. Mai.
In 2009, when the two countries began upgrading their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, Japan had 38 investment projects in Ho Chi Minh City with a total capital of USD46.7 million. So far, the figures have increased by more than 40 times, to more than 1,600 projects with a total capital of nearly USD8.2 billion. Ho Chi Minh City - Japan trade turnover increased from USD3.3 billion in 2009 to nearly USD5.1 billion in 2022. These impressive growth rates have made Japan the 3rd largest investor and 5th largest trading partner of the city. The Japanese Business Association in Ho Chi Minh City has risen to rank 3rd in scale among Japanese Business Associations abroad, with some 1,100 members.
Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai said that the city wishes and is ready to join the Japanese Government and partners in finding and implementing initiatives to create a broader development space for both peoples, as well as for the regional and world community. "Ho Chi Minh City wants to become a model for cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese localities," he added.
Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City Ono Masuo assessed that Vietnam has developed a lot over the past time; the number of Japanese businesses investing in Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces has exceeded 1,000 businesses. According to Mr. Ono Masuo, currently the friendly and cooperative relationship between Japan and Vietnam is developing extremely well in many fields such as economics, politics, culture and sports. “To welcome this wonderful relationship, Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko started a visit to Vietnam on September 20, and tomorrow will officially open a turning point of 50 years of Japan-Vietnam relations,” he said.
He also emphasized that he looks forward to cooperating with distinguished guests and friends to further develop the friendship and cooperation between Japan and Vietnam in the next 50 years./.
BTA