Hanoi and Guangzhou should strengthen cooperation across various sectors to foster deeper understanding and mutual learning.

Hanoi Party Chief Dinh Tien Dung (r), presents a model of Khue Van Cac (the pavilion of the constellation of literature) to Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee Guo Yonghang. Photos: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung stressed the view during a meeting with Guo Yonghang, Secretary of the Guangzhou Municipal Party Committee today [April 2].

During the meeting, Guo affirmed that Hanoi 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 Vietnam.

According to Guo, Guangzhou has recently achieved significant milestones. Specifically, its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew by 4.9% in 2023, surpassing US$414.6 billion in economic size, with expectations to exceed 5% in 2024. He noted that Hanoi 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 Hanoi's urban planning officials to receive training in Guangzhou, which could become a highlight in bilateral cooperation.

Secretary of the Hanoi 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 Hanoi's commitment to comprehensive cooperation with various regions of China, including Guangzhou.

The two leaders witness the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Hanoi Party Committee and the South China University of Technology (SCUT) in Guangzhou.

Expressing gratitude to China, Guangzhou, and the people for paying attention to Vietnam'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 Hanoi'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 Hanoi's urban development plans extending to 2050 and beyond.

Dung also underscored Hanoi's role as a bright spot in Vietnam's economic development and a safe destination for international friends.

Regarding Hanoi-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, Hanoi 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 Hanoi-Quangzhou relationship will continue to thrive, making positive contributions to the good bilateral relations between Vietnam and China.

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