Chairman Le Trung Chinh and Mayor Nagafuji Hideki updated each other on the socio-economic development situation between the two sides and discussed future cooperation directions. They also shared local initiatives in organizing events and international integration.

Chairman Le Trung Chinh stated that this is the third consecutive year of maintaining online meetings to enhance cooperation between the two sides, marking the 15th anniversary of the friendly relations and cooperation between Da Nang and Sakai (2009-2024).

The Vietnam-Japan relationship has achieved strong and comprehensive development in all fields, with high political trust, close economic ties, human resources cooperation, and local cooperation. In Da Nang, Japan has always been a strategic partner in many areas, especially as both countries upgrade their relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World".

After hearing Sakai's initiatives in organizing international events, Da Nang, along with its own experiences, is ready to share initiatives and lessons learned to "attract hosting international events" that Da Nang has successfully organized in recent years such as the 5th Asian Beach Games, APEC High-Level Week 2017, Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, and Asian Golf Championship.

"In the context of more than half a century of friendship and solid cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, I believe that the cooperation potential between Da Nang and Sakai will also be significant. Therefore, in the coming time, I propose both sides to focus on promoting cooperation in the following areas: Strengthening economic links between the two cities, promoting expanded cooperation in new areas such as innovation, technology transfer, digital transformation, green transformation...; Enhancing human resource connections, local cooperation, tourism, culture, people-to-people exchanges; continuing to effectively implement existing dialogue and cooperation mechanisms and establishing new cooperation mechanisms, actively coordinating to implement the project "Developing Carbon Neutral Port (CNP) based on the friendly relations between the two localities" at the earliest," Chairman Le Trung Chinh said.

Chairman Le Trung Chinh also invited Mayor Nagafuji Hideki and Sakai counterparts to visit Da Nang and participate in the Vietnam-Japan Festival, scheduled to be held in August 2024 in Da Nang.

Thanking Da Nang for sharing its experiences, Mayor of Sakai City, Mr. Nagafuji Hideki, stated that in difficult times, organizing international events is not only temporary but also brings practical development for future generations. Through this, it brings the next generation of Sakai City to realize the values of the city in which they live, thereby continuing the good tradition of Sakai City.

In the coming time, Sakai City will further promote event organization and international integration to be able to connect with Da Nang City to enhance international exchange activities. At the same time, it will enhance the effectiveness of support and promotion activities for economic cooperation between the two localities, including vigorously attracting investment and attention from 20 Sakai companies investing in Da Nang; implementing the "Carbon Neutral Port Development" project and continuing to promote exchange activities in the fields of culture, sports, education, and training, human resource cooperation on the good foundation of previous exchange programs.

NGUYET ANH