Da Nang People’s Committee Chairman Huynh Duc Tho recently held a reception for Admiral Harry B Harris Jr, Commander of the US Pacific Command.

Chairman Tho (right) presenting a momento to Admiral Harris

Chairman Tho remarked that recent years have seen numerous positive results from the bilateral comprehensive partnership between the USA and Viet Nam, and between Da Nang and some US localities in particular.   To date, the city has attracted many FDI projects involving US businesses, with a total investment capital of over 300 million USD.  In addition, several US non-governmental organisations have deployed numerous socio-economic development projects in Da Nang, as well as assisted the city in bolstering the progress of such local aspects as education and healthcare.

The host also spoke highly of the effective implementation since 2014 of the US Navy-led Pacific Partnership programmes, with a focus on promoting humanitarian aid, disaster relief, community cultural events, and other related activities in Da Nang.  This annual programme has helped to considerably improve the social lives of local residents, as well as to strengthen the bilateral defence cooperation between the 2 countries.

In particular, Chairman Tho highly applauded the US government for stressing the need to use peaceful solutions to resolve territorial disputes in the East Sea on the basis of compliance with international laws, and the establishment of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). 

The city leader also said he hoped that the US Admiral would continue his efforts to maintain peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the Asia-Pacific region, including the East Sea.

In reply, Admiral Harris highlighted the bilateral intensive and multi-faceted relationships between the 2 countries over recent years.  He also affirmed that cooperation between the USA and Viet Nam, and Da Nang in particular, shows their common interest in economics, maritime security and other aspects.

He also thanked the city authorities for their warm welcome for the many US Navy ships which have arrived in the city over recent years, as well as for effectively conducting numerous bilateral exchange activities in the city.  He also pledged that the USA will continue to carry out humanitarian activities and deploy dioxin contamination removal projects in Da Nang, and in other Vietnamese localities, in the years ahead.