During his reception on Sunday for the Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the US Pacific Command, Major General Steven R Rudder, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh expressed his delight at the fruitful results from the bilateral cooperation programmes with some US localities and organisations over recent years.

Major General Rudder (left) and Vice Chairman Minh

Vice Chairman Minh highlighted the efficiency of the bilateral defence cooperation between the US and the Da Nang authorities, and the city-based military forces.  The annual US Navy-led Pacific Partnership (PP) programmes between 2014 and 2016 were typical examples.

He remarked, “This year, the PP programme will take place in Da Nang between 8 and 18 May.  The event will feature numerous activities, including a practice response to natural disasters and the upgrade of local healthcare and educational establishments.  In addition, free medical examinations and treatment will be provided for poor local residents, whilst musical and sporting exchange activities between the naval forces of the two countries will be held in the city during the programme”.

Mr Minh also underlined the significance of the Cooperative Humanitarian and Medical Storage Initiative (CHAMSI) programme signed between the US and Viet Nam in May last year. 

Under the CHAMSI programme, the US government plans to establish a military logistics warehouse for its medical and humanitarian aid equipment in Viet Nam.  The intention would be to help Viet Nam enhance its search and rescue activities, mitigate natural disasters, and ensure the timely and effective implementation of humanitarian aid work.

Vice Chairman Minh said that he would like the CHAMSI programme to be deployed in Da Nang.  In addition, he pledged that the city authorities will create very favourable conditions for the US government to effectively carry out this programme in the city.

In reply, Major General Rudder said “We have yet to decide which Vietnamese localities will be chosen for our CHAMSI programme.  However, Da Nang is one of the Viet Nam localities boasting great potential for the deployment of this programme”.