The Hanoi People's Committee and the Guangzhou Municipal Government ratified a memorandum of understanding on September 26 to strengthen their decentralized relationship.

Hanoi and Guangzhou authorities sign a Memorandum of Understanding to boost relations on September 26. Photo: VNA

Guo Yonghang, Secretary of the Guangzhou Party Committee and Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, said Hanoi and Guangzhou share similarities in culture, trade and tourism.

He praised the two cities for making progress in trade and investment relations.

He said the Hanoi delegation's visit to Guangdong and Guangzhou, highlighted by the meeting between Hanoi Party Committee’s Secretary Dinh Tien Dung and Secretary of the Guangdong Party Committee Huang Kunming on September 25, has paved the way for the two cities to continue cooperation.

He suggested that the two municipal authorities exchange experience in urban management and tourism, and the MoU will enable the two cities to enhance their cooperation through discussions and collaboration between government departments.

Mayor Guo said that Guangzhou regularly hosts many international forums and exhibitions, and the Chinese city would like to welcome Vietnamese businesses and government agencies to participate in the events.

The Chinese official also recommended the authorities of the two cities to intensify their exchange activities.

Agreeing with his Chinese counterpart, Dinh Tien Dung, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, praised Guangzhou and Guangdong for their leadership in adopting new urban development policies and opening up economic zones.

"The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two cities is the foundation for a stronger relationship and friendship between Hanoi and Guangzhou, which will facilitate cooperation projects in the future," Dung said.

"I hope today will mark the first steps of Hanoi and Guangzhou's journey together and allow more effective projects to get implemented in the future," he said.

"Hanoi will create favorable conditions and strengthen decentralized relations between both cities, especially in urban development and management, trade, culture and tourism."

Business-to-business cooperation

Hanoi Party Chief Dinh Tien Dung and Vietnamese delegates on September 26 attended a business promotion program, where Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises signed several agreements to strengthen cooperation in trade, tourism and urban development.

Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Duong Duc Tuan said the business forum is a good opportunity for enterprises and government agencies from both sides to share and discuss the opportunities of Hanoi's business environment and seek potential partnerships.

"I hope more Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises will concretize their partnerships, which will strengthen Hanoi-Guangzhou ties and open a new era beneficial to both cities," he said.

On September 26, Hanoi Party Chief Dinh Tien Dung met with Yan Jiehe, Founder and Chairman of China Pacific Construction Group. The company specializes in transportation infrastructure, irrigation facilities, residential and office buildings, and urban management.

Yan said he hoped to cooperate with Hanoi in the coming period and assured the company would use modern technologies and implement projects on time.

For his part, Secretary Dung said Hanoi is committed to providing the best conditions for foreign investors, especially those in the construction and transportation sectors.

He also urged the Chinese company to apply for infrastructure projects in Hanoi soon.

Secretary Dinh Tien Dung is on his official five-day visit to China, where he hopes to strengthen Hanoi's decentralized partnerships with Chinese localities and ties with businesses.