Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen has affirmed that there remains room for cooperation between the Vietnamese metropolis and Japan, besides the Japanese ODA-funded project for the city’s metro line No. 1, which is expected to be completed by year-end.

Nen made the statement during a meeting with newly-appointed Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki on Monday on the occasion of the beginning of his tenure in Vietnam.

Over the past 15 years, Vietnam and Japan have upgraded their ties twice to reach a comprehensive strategic partnership last year, Nen told the ambassador, adding that Ho Chi Minh City has made significant contributions to realizing the commitments between the two countries during the period.

Nen congratulated Naoki on starting his term at a time when the relationship between the two countries has become deeper than ever.

The Vietnamese official underscored that there is ample opportunity for cooperation between the city and Japan, beyond the Japanese ODA-funded project to build the city’s first metro line, which is expected to begin commercial operation by the end of this year.

Potential cooperation areas include education, culture, high-quality human resource training, hi-tech, semiconductors, and others, Nen said, affirming that there are now opportunities for the two sides to explore.

The municipal Party chief also suggested that the ambassador pay attention to helping the city deal with climate change impacts.

Agreeing with the host’s suggestion, Naoki expressed Japan's readiness to support Ho Chi Minh City in these areas, noting that he was impressed with the city's development in recent years.

He hoped to promote the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

He has taken a test trip on metro line No. 1, which he considers a project symbolizing the good relationship between Vietnam and Japan, the diplomat said.

The ambassador emphasized that he will contribute to resolving the problems facing the project so that it can be completed soon.

Secretary Nen said that a working group should be set up to promptly address troubles related to the metro line.

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