Politics & Law
Việt Nam, Russia step up economic-trade, sci-tech cooperation
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| Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyễn Thành Phong on May 25 met with Governor – General of Australia Peter Cosgrove. — Photo courtesy of Australian Embassy |
Viet Nam News
HCM CITY — Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyễn Thành Phong yesterday met with Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove to discuss the development of bilateral relations in trade, investment, education, high-tech agriculture, defence and development aid.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 20 years of defence cooperation between the two countries.
As of April, Australia had invested in 182 projects in HCM City, with a total capital of US$188 million.
Bilateral trade between HCM City and Australia last year reached US$915 million, while HCM City last year welcomed 273,000 Australian visitors, according to Phong.
Jetstar Airlines last year launched two direct flight routes from HCM City to Melbourne and from HCM City to Sydney, and Vietjet Air plans to launch a direct flight from HCM City to Brisbane in early 2019.
Phong said this was an important driving force to further promote relations of the two countries.
The Governor-General visited peacekeepers and officers at the level-2 field hospital at Military Hospital 175 and attended the Việt Nam-Australia Innovation Showcase at RMIT University during his stay in the city.
Anniversary of diplomatic relations
Speaking at the reception for the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Australia yesterday evening, the Governor-General said that “our willingness to keep working together and supporting each other is amply demonstrated by the signing of the Strategic Partnership.”
“The Partnership reflects our desire to work together for our mutual benefits and for stability and prosperity in our region and across the world.”
The Australian Defence Force is supporting Việt Nam’s UN peacekeepers in South Sudan.
The two countries are cooperating on new agreements such as the CP-TPP, and the development and application of new technologies.
There are nearly 60,000 Vietnamese alumni at Australian universities. This year, 800 Australian students are expected to study in Việt Nam under the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan. — VNS
