Speaking at the reception, Chen Xiangtian, Deputy Secretary of the Guangzhou Party Committee, expressed his gratitude for the warm and thoughtful welcome, which clearly demonstrated the profound camaraderie and brotherhood between the two sides. 

Overview of the meeting. 

Deeply impressed by his visit to the Presidential Palace Relic Site and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, he expressed admiration for President Ho Chi Minh, the founder of Vietnam's revolutionary cause, who devoted his entire life to national liberation and made significant contributions to the Vietnam-China relationship.

Emphasizing the sister-city relationship established in 2023 between Hanoi and Guangzhou, Chen Xiangtian affirmed that the relationship between the two cities has always been nurtured and promoted toward deeper development. Expressing his admiration for the rapid development of Vietnam in general and Hanoi in particular, he noted that Hanoi, as a political, economic, and cultural center, holds a rich heritage and tradition while also embracing a dynamic modern vitality.

Recalling important milestones in the relationship between Hanoi and Guangzhou, Chen Xiangtian emphasized that the foundation of cooperation and friendly exchange between the two sides is very solid and suggested several directions for further cooperation.

First, he proposed enhancing cooperation in transportation development, particularly urban railways. At present, Guangzhou has over 1,000 kilometers of railway in operation, including more than 700 kilometers of urban rail and 338 kilometers of inter-provincial rail. In addition, light rail systems are in use.

Second, he proposed continuing to strengthen youth cooperation between the two countries, not only to pass on the tradition of friendship to future generations but also to promote deeper connections among young people in both countries.

Hanoi Vice Party Chief Nguyen Van Phong and Deputy Secretary of the Guangzhou Party Committee Chen Xiangtian

Third, he suggested expanding cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism. Fourth, he emphasized the importance of boosting economic and trade cooperation.

According to Chen Xiangtian, since the policy of reform and opening-up, Guangzhou has led China's economic growth. With a population of 24 million, Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province and a key city personally championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In practice, it has consistently led development in Asia's number one economy, aiming for a Gross Regional Domestic Product of 6.1 trillion yuan (equivalent to approximately US$840 billion) by 2030.

Chen Xiangtian affirmed that Guangzhou is willing to share its accumulated experience with Hanoi to promote mutual development, and also expressed a desire to learn from Hanoi’s valuable practices.

He conveyed his hope that Hanoi would continue to thrive, its people enjoy lasting happiness, and that the relationship between Hanoi and Guangzhou would grow ever stronger and deeper.

Thanking Chen Xiangtian for his practical insights, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong congratulated China in general and Guangzhou in particular on their reform achievements in recent years. 

He also expressed appreciation to Guangzhou for its care and efforts in preserving historical sites related to President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth Association.

Currently, Hanoi maintains relations with over 100 capitals and major cities worldwide. Stating that Hanoi, in its role as the capital, must take the lead in expanding cooperation with international localities, Deputy Secretary Nguyen Van Phong affirmed that the City places great importance on its friendship with Chinese localities, including Guangzhou, and consistently focuses on implementing major orientations in bilateral relations.

He emphasized that although the cooperation agreement signed between the two cities in 2023 is relatively recent, the areas under implementation have already proven highly effective. Moreover, the agreed areas of cooperation still hold significant untapped potential.

He noted that Vietnam in general, and Hanoi in particular, is now entering a second phase of reform, with the vision of transforming Hanoi by 2030 and beyond into a globally connected city with a distinct identity. He outlined several development pillars for Hanoi in the coming period: a foundation rooted in culture and people; innovation and digital transformation; green transition and the circular economy; and the integration of new urban economic models.

He affirmed that, guided by this spirit, Hanoi consistently looks to learn from international partners, particularly Chinese localities that share many similarities.

Expressing agreement with the cooperation proposals made by Comrade Chen Xiangtian, Deputy Secretary Nguyen Van Phong suggested that both sides continue exchanging delegations at both city and departmental levels, with an emphasis on promoting youth exchanges. He also proposed leveraging the strengths and experiences of both sides—especially in railway development—and enhancing cooperation in trade and tourism, areas that align closely with Hanoi’s key development priorities.

Highly valuing the visit of the Guangzhou City delegation to Hanoi, Deputy Secretary Nguyen Van Phong expressed his belief that this working trip, taking place as Hanoi enters a significant new development phase, would open a new chapter of practical and more effective cooperation between the two localities.