Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties marked in HCM City

HCM City (VNA) - The constant development of the Vietnam-UK relations was highlighted at a ceremony to mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries in Ho Chi Minh City on October 26.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People Committee Le Thanh Liem stressed that the bilateral ties has developed rapidly across fields, especially after the two nations upgraded their relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2010.

In the context of the two countries’ fruitful relations in terms of politics, diplomacy, economy, and culture, tourism and education cooperation, the relationship between HCM City and the UK have also recorded important achievements, particularly in exchange of delegations, trade investment, education, tourism and culture exchange.

HCM City is home to 146 projects totaling 555 million USD invested by UK firms. The European country ranks 11th among 100 countries and territories investing in the city.

Trade value between HCM City and the UK in 2017 hit 795 million USD. The Vietnamese locality welcomed 125,000 British visitors - the largest number in three years.

Liem stressed that increasing and diplomatic exchange activities, and economic-trade -investment, culture and education bonds between the two nations, as well as their closer and effective cooperation in global and regional issues, will contribute to further deepening the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership, thus promoting their mutual understanding and good friendship and cooperation, and meeting aspirations and interests of the people of both sides.

For his part, Ian Gibbons, Consul General of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to HCM City, said over the past 45 years, Vietnam has left behind all the wreckage of the war to rebuild the country in spite of all hardships, noting that his country is proud to be with Vietnam on this path.

The re-opening of the Consulate General in HCM City in 1994 created an important premise for both sides to build trust and reinforce their extensive cooperation afterwards.

The bilateral relations has made important breakthroughs and strong development after being upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in terms of politics, global and regional issues, trade and investment, sustainable socio-economic development, education and training, science and technology, defence and security, and people-to-people diplomacy.

Ian Gibbons affirmed that the Consulate General and the UK Business Association in Vietnam hope to continue receiving support from the municipal authorities, so that more and more UK firms would not only come to do business but also set up offices and production establishments in the city.

The British Council is committed to continuing its efforts to introduce the UK’s arts, culture and language to locals in HCM City in particular and Vietnamese people in general, he said.-VNA