On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, the incoming Expo 2010 Shanghai China, and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of sister cities between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Feng Guoqin, Chairman of CPPCC Shanghai Committee, led the Shanghai delegation to pay a friendly visit to Ho Chi Minh City Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai’s sister city on invitation.

During their stay in Hanoi, Mr. Feng met with Mr. Nguyen Thi Duyen, Vice President of Vietnam, Mr. Huynh Dam, Chairman of Mat Tran To Quoc Viet Nam, and Mr. Nguyen Van Giau, Governor of Vietnamese Central Bank. Both sides briefed one another about the respective situation of economic and social development in a warm and friendly atmosphere and exchanged views candidly on matters including the involvement of Shanghai enterprises in Vietnam’s reform and opening up to the world, the upgradation of Vietnam’s consular office in Shanghai to consulate general, and the establishment of a branch in Ho Chi Minh City by China Communication Bank. During the talk, both sides said that they would grasp the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam as well as the 2010 Sino-Vietnam Friendship Year to reach consensus and converge joint strength. In addition, they added that the abovementioned matters would be fulfilled as soon as possible through the adoption of positive and effective measures.

During their stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Feng attended the opening ceremony for the photo exhibition of Shanghai Expo hosted by the municipal governments of both cities in the Ho Chi Minh City Exhibition Hall. In his speech, Mr. Feng pointed out that the exhibition aimed at briefing the citizens in Ho Chi Minh City about the style and appearance of economic and social development in Shanghai in recent years as well as the coming Expo 2010 Shanghai China. He also hoped that a bridge in terms of cultural exchanges would be built because of it in order to deepen the mutual understanding of the people of the two cities as well as to open up broader space for the further friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two cities in the future. Officials from Mat Tran To Quoc Ho Chi Minh City, the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, and the Municipal Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau as well as many local visitors were gathered together to witness the grand opening ceremony of the photo exhibition together with the Shanghai delegation. After that, Mr. Feng met with Mr. Le Hoang Quan, Mayor of Ho Chi Minh City, and Chairman of Mat Tran To Quoc Ho Chi Minh City. Both sides exchanged views and explored issues of common interest including economic development, social construction, urban management and social security in both cities.

During their visit to Vietnam, Mr. Feng gave publicity to the Expo to all walks of life in Vietnam on many occasions and sincerely invited them to attend the grant event of the Expo. Taking the visitors to the“Shanghai Expo”Photo Exhibition for example, while marveling at the urban appearance changing with each passing day in Shanghai, they showed enormous interest and enthusiasm in the construction of the Expo sites and pavilions as well as the planning of the Expo Park. They said that they would go to Shanghai to attend the Expo personally. In addition to reinforcing the basis for good-neighborliness and mutual trust, Mr. Feng’s visit also promoted several concrete projects, including the plan that leaders of Ho Chi Minh City will lead a delegation to visit Shanghai and attend the Expo in early June as well as the verbal promise made by Vietnamese Central Bank that it would approve the establishment of a branch in Ho Chi Minh City by China Communication Bank. Mr. Zhai Leiming, Charge d’affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, and Mr. Xu Mingliang, Consul General of the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, accompanied the delegation on the official activities in the two cities.