Representatives of Quang Ninh province and Japan's Hokkaido prefecture at the talks and signing ceremony between the two localities. (Photo: VNA)QuangNinh (VNA) - Secretary of the Quang Ninh provincial Party Committee NguyenXuan Ky and Governor of Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture Suzuki Naomichi held talksand signed a cooperation agreement between the two localities, in the northeastern province's Ha Long city on November 16.
The activity was held on the occasion of the Hokkaido delegationattending the Hokkaido Festival 2023 in Ha Long and activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties in Quang Ninh. It was also firstofficial exchange among leaders, local representatives and businesses of thetwo provinces.
Ky said Quang Ninh has consistently consolidated and developedcooperative and friendly relations with Japanese investors, partners andlocalities; paid special attention to and actively contributed to traditionalcooperation between the two countries.
Quang Ninh expects and stays ready to work with Hokkaido toeffectively concretise the agreements and common perceptions reached by the twocountries’ leaders, he said, adding that the two localities should activelyseize new opportunities to enhance collaboration in culture, tourism, educationand training while exploring potential cooperation areas such as modern integrated services, manufacturingand processing, advanced and smart technology, marine economy, logistics,seaports and port services, eco-agriculture, digital transformation, greentransformation, climate change response, food and water security.
Suzuki, forhis part, highlighted closer ties between Vietnam and Hokkaido in the fields ofagriculture, aquaculture,environment and information technology. Hokkaido and numerous Vietnameseministries and agencies already signed multiple cooperation agreements to boosteconomic exchange and tourism.
He said the organisation of the Vietnam festivals in Hokkaidohas played a significant role in the extensive and effective development of Vietnam-Hokkaidorelationship, thus making important contributions to raising mutual understandingand trust between the two nations.
Currently, Japan is a strategic investor of Quang Ninh with atotal of 12 projects valued at over 2.3 billion USD, ranking third amongpartner countries. In terms of trade, Japan is the second largest importer ofQuang Ninh.
This year's Hokkaido Festival and the opening of the JapaneseCultural and Language Centre at Ha Long University will open up newopportunities to increase cultural exchanges between the two countries, layingthe groundwork for stronger collaboration in various fields.
On the occasion, Quang Ninh and Hokkaido, Ha Long University andAsahikawa University signed cooperation agreements./.
