Ha Noi, Guangzhou spur comprehensive cooperation

During the meeting, Guo affirmed that Ha Noi and Guangzhou have much in common regarding culture, lifestyle, and traditions. He highly praised the development achievements of Hanoi and suggested potential areas of cooperation with Guangzhou, building upon the strong foundation of the traditional fraternal relationship between China and Viet Nam.

According to Guo, Guangzhou has recently achieved significant milestones. Specifically, its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew by 4.9 percent in 2023, surpassing US$414.6 billion in economic size, with expectations to exceed 5 percent in 2024. He noted that Ha Noi has valuable experience in economic development, particularly in supporting local business growth, from which Guangzhou could learn.

Emphasizing the common characteristics of being strong drivers of regional development, Guo also highlighted Quangzhou's strengths in agriculture, new energy vehicles (NEVs), and environmental protection, among others. He stressed the need to deepen cooperation between the two cities for a better future.

He called for continued exchange of delegations at all levels and sectors to enhance information sharing, promote mutual understanding, and explore potential cooperation opportunities. Moreover, he expressed the desire for Ha Noi's urban planning officials to receive training in Guangzhou, which could become a highlight in bilateral cooperation.

Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung agreed, emphasizing the need to realize the common perceptions of the leadership of the two countries and cities and further deepen substantial and effective cooperation. He reaffirmed Ha Noi's commitment to comprehensive cooperation with various regions of China, including Guangzhou.

Expressing gratitude to China, Guangzhou, and the people for paying attention to Viet Nam's revolutionary relics, including those of President Ho Chi Minh in the city, Dung emphasized that these sites are not only educational landmarks for the younger generation but also symbols of the long-standing friendship between the two parties, two countries, and two peoples.

Giving the guest an overview of Ha Noi's development achievements, Dung mentioned various initiatives the city undertook, including working with government agencies to improve and submit amendments to the Capital Law to the National Assembly, scheduled for ratification in May 2024. He also highlighted Ha Noi's urban development plans extending to 2050 and beyond.

Dung also underscored Ha Noi's role as a bright spot in Viet Nam's economic development and a safe destination for international friends.

Regarding Ha Noi-Quangzhou relations, Dung agreed on the need for comprehensive cooperation across all sectors between the two cities, suggesting that delegation exchanges should be diverse and frequent to facilitate mutual learning. He noted that due to rapid development, Ha Noi is facing pressing issues such as wastewater treatment, environmental pollution control, traffic congestion, urban infrastructure planning, and urban railway development – areas where Chinese investors could consider participating in cooperation efforts.

Dung expressed confidence that the Ha Noi-Quangzhou relationship will continue to thrive, making positive contributions to the good bilateral relations between Viet Nam and China.

During the working session, the two municipal leaders also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ha Noi Party Committee and the South China University of Technology (SCUT) in Guangzhou, China./.