During Saturday’s reception for a group of representatives from the Sakai City Council in Japan, led by its Chairman Noriko Yamaguchi, Da Nang People's Council Chairman Nguyen Nho Trung remarked his locality is affirming its stature as the driving forces for the progress of Central Viet Nam.

Da Nang People's Council Chairman Nguyen Nho Trung (left) presenting a momento to Chairman of Sakai City Council Noriko Yamaguchi

With regard to the bilateral cooperative ties with Sakai over recent years, Chairman Trung expressed his delight at the effective implementation of many programmes on economic cooperation, investment attraction, and cultural exchanges.

Notable amongst them were the ‘People's ambassadors’, activities boosting bilateral cooperation with Sakai businesses, and the Viet Nam-Japan Cultural Exchange Culture.

The host hoped that the 2 sides, in the coming time, would continue to implement many specific cooperation programmes in such aspects as tourism, exchanges of human resources from municipal government agencies, sports, and education.

In particular, the Da Nang authorities would like their Sakai City counterparts to share their experience in the implementation of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals which are targets for global development adopted in September 2015, set to be achieved by 2030.

Also, it was suggested that the 2 side should promote exchanges and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in the 2 localities in order to mutually boost the development of their support industries, and to develop their green, environmentally-friendly logistics services.

In reply, Ms Noriko Yamaguchi remarked the visit to Da Nang offered the Sakai guests a holistic view of the bilateral cooperation prospects, thereby inspiring them to consider the establishment and adoption of a resolution on building the twining relationship with Da Nang in the coming time.

In his remarks at the reception for his Japanese guests, Chairman Trung affirmed Da Nang’s willingness to join greater efforts with Sakai to strengthen the friendship and cooperative ties between the 2 localities in a more effective and intensive manner in the years ahead.

Earlier on Friday, whilst warmly receiving a delegation of the Sakai City leaders, led by its Deputy Mayor Ryoichi Nakajo, Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh, said the 2 cities entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for Friendship and Cooperation in February 2009.

Da Nang People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh (right) presenting a momento to Deputy Mayor of Sakai City Ryoichi Nakajo

Since then, the 2 sides have maintained cooperation programmes, especially in culture, foreign affairs, and people-to-people exchanges.

In addition, Vice Chairman Minh asked for help from the Sakai City authorities to appeal for even more its large investors to invest in hi-tech, IT, commerce, services and tourism in Da Nang.

In reply, Deputy Mayor Ryoichi Nakajo hoped that the 2 cities would jointly make further progress in their relationship in certain aspects in which they show keen interest.

Also at the event, the host and his Japanese guest jointly discussed and agreed on the signing of a cooperation agreement to celebrate the 45^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties between the 2 countries (21 September).

In another reception on the same day for Mayor of Mimasaka City Hagiwara Seiji, Vice Chairman Minh said, although the two cities have yet to establish formal friendship and cooperation, they have effectively implemented many cooperation programmes in  education, human resources development, sports, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, through the Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Association in Da Nang.

The host hoped that the 2 sides would set up cooperative ties in aspects full of great potential, especially in investment, trade and tourism.

Mayor Hagiwara Seiji vowed, in the coming time, Mimasaka City would faciliate Vietnamese athletes to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. Alongside, support activities will be given to the Viet Nam women's national football team to conduct practical activities and play friendship matches with Japanese teams.