Kawaue Junichi, Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh city, addresses the meeting. (Photo: voh.com.vn)
Addressing the meeting, Nguyen Cong Tanh, Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh city, stressed that the relationship between the two countries is developing well in all areas, including political, economic, cultural and tourism areas.
In 2017, the association has organized diverse people-to-people diplomacy to increase the friendship between the two countries, especially among students and pupils, including an exchange program with over 3,000 pupils coming from Japanese prefectures with those from large primary schools in Ho Chi Minh city.
According to Kawaue Junichi, Japanese Consul General to Ho Chi Minh city, this year, for the first time, the Japanese Emperor and Empress paid a historic visit to Vietnam, which he said signalled the continuing development of the relationship between the two countries.
Ho Chi Minh city has become a place for Vietnam - Japan exchanges in different areas such as economics, education and culture. In 2018, marking the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam - Japan diplomatic relationship, diverse activities will be organized in Vietnam.
“Ho Chi Minh city has made great efforts in fostering friendly and cooperative relationship with Japanese localities,” said Tran Vinh Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the city People’s Committee, during a banquet held on December 6th by the Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh to mark the 84th birthday of the Japanese Emperor.
He added that a high-ranking delegation from the city had paid working visit to Japanese localities to reinforce and expand the relationship; and signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperative and friendly relations with Nagano prefecture, bringing the number of Japanese localities having set up relations with Ho Chi Minh city to seven.
Japan is currently the 4th largest investor among 92 countries and territories investing in the city, with a capital of over USD3.8 billion, while it is also the 3rd largest import and export market and a leading ODA provider of the city.
“The good relationship between Ho Chi Minh city and Japan is reflected not only in economic and commercial areas, but also cooperative programs and cultural and tourism exchanges,” said Mr. Tuyen.
Mr. Kawaue Junichi confirmed that Japan hoped to become Vietnam’s trusted partner, and develop a reinforced relationship with Vietnam for peaceful development and prosperity in the region./.