VOV.VN - Pham Duc Hai, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Council, hosted a reception on May 22 for Tom Tate, the Mayor of the Gold Coast in the Australian state of Queensland to discuss ways to enhance the relationship between the two localities.

Photo: VNA

During the function, Hai spoke highly of the fine development of the Vietnam-Australia Strategic Partnership, noting that HCM city has shown a keen interest in promoting co-operative links with a number of Australian localities in recent times. 

A Memorandum of Understanding regarding the establishment of co-operative and twining relations between HCM city and the Australian state of New South Wales was  signed in Sydney during a working visit to Australia by Nguyen Thanh Phong, Chairman of HCM City’s People’s Committee in April. 

Hai stressed that transport and climate change are also the major challenges facing HCM city, saying the city is willing to co-operate with the Gold Coast in developing tourism and wants the Australian city to share their experience in the fields of Australia’s strengths. 

HCM city is committed to providing the optimal conditions for foreign businesses, including businesses from the Gold Coast, which are looking to invest and do long-term business in the city, Hai added. 

Mayor Tom Tate in turn emphasised that the Gold Coast is the city that is currently enjoying fast economic growth and has great potential in the tourism, education, and hi-tech development sectors. 

The Gold Coast wishes to boost co-operation with HCM city in the fields of tourism, education, waste treatment, and energy whilst also enjoying co-operation in practical projects, said Mr Tom Tate.

Mayor TomTate also shared his experience in coping with climate change managing urban transport system, and implementing urban infrastructure planning. 

He expressed his hope that the two countries will launch a direct air route between the two cities in the future toward stronger co-operative relations between the localities in the fields of tourism and education which are widely considered the Gold Coast’s strengths.