On Wednesday morning, the Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman, Mr Vo Duy Khuong, played host to the Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr John McAnulty.  Vice Chairman Khuong briefed his guest on the city’s economic growth and the negative impacts on the city’s development after China's illegal placement of the HD-981 oil drilling rig in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The city leader reported that Chinese businesses had operated as normal in the city during the tensions, and there were no strikes or instances of public disorder to affect the city’s investment environment.  He said that there has been, however, a decrease of about 80% in the number of visitors to the city from China and Chinese-speaking countries.  Nevertheless, the city has seen a significant rise in the number of foreign visitors from Japan, South Korea, and other Asian and European countries.  This has helped to increase the number of tourist arrivals to the city by 10% against the same period last year.

Vice Chairman Khuong presenting a memento to Mr McAnulty

Mr Khuong said that from now until 2020, Da Nang will be paying special attention to promoting the development of its spearhead services, including education, healthcare, seaports and logistics.  He took the opportunity to thank the Australian government for donating tumor-cutting equipment to the city’s Cancer Hospital.  He asked the Australian diplomat to appeal for more businesses from his country to invest in the city’s education and in other aspects such as the fishery logistics services and the Hi-tech IP.

Mr McAnulty expressed his delight that the complicated situation in the East Sea had eased.  He vowed that he would do his utmost to boost bilateral cooperation in education, which is considered one of the top priorities of cooperation between Australia and Viet Nam.  He added that about 26,000 Vietnamese students were studying at universities in Australia.