California wishes to forge comprehensive links with Ho Chi Minh City on the basis of the increasing relations between Vietnam and the US, Governor of California Edmund Jerry Brown stated during his reception for the Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai in Oakland on July 14 (US time)

Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai and city representatives are currently on a working visit to the US, according to the Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspape on July 16.

Edmund Jerry Brown said the two sides should cooperate closely in the field of environmental protection, with a particular focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Vietnamese official spoke highly of the cooperation between HCM City and California on trade, investment, science and technology, and education and training, and agreed with his host to boost links in the field of environmental protection.

Later that day, Vice Mayor of Sacramento Allen Warren welcomed the Vice Chairman of HCM City’s People’s Committee Tat Thanh Cang.

The two cities’ leaders discussed issues of common concern, such as enhancing mutual understanding and connections in trade, investment and education and training.

Vice Chairman Cang affirmed the meeting laid a foundation for the cooperation between HCM City and Sacramento.

Allen Warren thanked HCM City authorities for welcoming him so warmly during his visit to the city in February this year, adding that he was optimistic about the future links between the two cities and that he looked forward to his next visit.

On this occasion, the two localities signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the enhancement of their friendship and cooperation in the time ahead.

That same day, Secretary of HCM City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai and his delegation visited California University in Davis (UC Davis), where representatives of the Vietnam National University – HCM City and of UC Davis discussed the development of cooperation programmes.

In his speech, Secretary Hai stressed that the two universities should boost their links on sustainable urban planning and development, environmental protection, waste treatment, climate change adaptation, urban hi-tech agricultural development, and lecturer and student exchanges.

The Vietnamese delegation also met with the Vietnamese business community in San Jose, the third largest city in California.

During the meeting, Hai provided an update on Vietnam’s new policies and potential opportunities for boosting cooperation between Vietnam and the US in the future, while calling upon companies in San Jose and the US in general to invest in HCM City.

He affirmed that HCM City was keen to address any challenges overseas Vietnamese businesses faced with regard to investing in the homeland, adding that the city also applied preferential policies to businesses interested in investing in the city.

California is Vietnam’s leading US partner, with the annual bilateral trade value exceeding 10 billion USD. Close to 100 Californian firms operate in Vietnam, while Vietnam has invested in more than 70 projects in California.

At present, HCM City is home to 25 projects worth nearly 173 million USD funded by Californian businesses.

Around 880,000 Vietnamese-US nationals are living in California.

VNA