Ho Chi Minh City Party leader Nguyen Thien Nhan has discussed bilateral cooperation with United States Secretary of Defense James Mattis during their meeting in the southern Vietnamese metropolis.

Nhan, who is Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, hosted a reception for the U.S. official on Tuesday afternoon.

The meeting took place on the occasion of Secretary Mattis’ trip to Singapore to attend the fifth ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled from October 18 to 20.

During the conversation, Nhan stressed that Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular always consider the U.S. one of the important partners. 

Vietnam wishes to continue promoting the bilateral comprehensive partnership on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political regime for the interests of the peoples, and for the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation, and development, Nhan remarked.

He thanked the U.S. Secretary for his contributions to the detoxification projects at airports in the central city of Da Nang and Bien Hoa City, located in the southern province of Dong Nai.

Vietnam will work closely with the U.S. to continue such activities, along with the search for ex-servicemen missing in action during the war. 

The Ho Chi Minh City leader also expressed gratitude toward the U.S. for supporting Vietnam in United Nations peacekeeping missions, as well as help in personnel training at Military Hospital 175 in the southern city.

U.S. firms now invest in 390 projects worth US$1.2 billion in Ho Chi Minh City, ranking 10th among foreign investors in the metropolis. 

The U.S. remains the largest export market of the city, with two-way trade topping $8.2 billion in 2017.

Replying to his host, Secretary Mattis said the U.S.-Vietnam comprehensive partnership will bring benefits to both sides and contribute to peace and stability in the region. 

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!