Strengthening foreign relations and international integration.

By creatively applying the Party and State's foreign policy to the local conditions, Quang Ninh has strengthened its foreign relations and international integration, promoting cooperation with foreign countries. Through this, it has gradually affirmed its position on the international stage.

Leaders of the Department of Tourism presented flowers to congratulate the Ha Long Bay sailing team from Vietnam on completing their leg of the Clipper Race 2023-2024 round- the-world sailing race.

Accordingly, Quang Ninh province continues to focus on expanding its foreign relations activities. From the beginning of 2024 to the present, the province has successfully organized many delegations to travel abroad. A notable example is the official visit of a delegation to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) in early 2024. This visit was of practical significance, contributing to strengthening mutual trust and understanding, further consolidating the relationship between Quang Ninh (Vietnam) and Guangxi (China); jointly building a peaceful , friendly, stable, cooperative, and developing Vietnam-China border; and concretizing the important common understanding of the high-level leaders of the two Parties and States of Vietnam and China.

Also at the beginning of the year, in Beihai City (Guangxi, China), the 2024 Spring Meeting took place between the Party Secretaries of four provinces: Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang (Vietnam) and the Party Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China).

The program took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, demonstrating the consistency between the provinces and regions in continuing to comprehensively implement the two Vietnam-China Joint Statements and the common understandings reached by the leaders of the two Parties and two States. They joined hands in implementing the "Action Plan for the period 2024-2026" between the five Provincial/Regional Party Committees, contributing to building a strategically significant Vietnam-China Community with a shared future at the local level. Within the framework of the program, the 15th Conference of the Joint Working Committee between the four northern border provinces of Vietnam (Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang) and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) was held.

In addition, Quang Ninh also organizes many major cultural and diplomatic events, as well as numerous international conferences and seminars. For example, the Ha Long Carnival 2024 featured a spectacular art program, with the participation of many famous domestic singers and artists, as well as international art troupes from Hokkaido (Japan), Guangxi (China), Laos, Thailand, and European artists. The program, with its many vibrant and attractive activities, further affirmed Ha Long - Quang Ninh as a "Safe - Friendly - Hospitable" destination, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists.

Simultaneously, the province has focused on promoting and attracting foreign investment, especially in the tourism sector. At the Quang Ninh Tourism Promotion and Investment Promotion Conference, held to welcome the Clipper Race 2023-2024 round-the-world season to Ha Long City, the province organized international delegates including Mr. Iain Frew, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Vietnam, along with over 100 international delegates from the Clipper Race Organizing Committee, investors, businesspeople, and sailing enthusiasts. Within the framework of the conference, delegates shared useful information about investment opportunities in tourism; Quang Ninh's tourism products; and investment opportunities in industrial parks within the province.

In May 2024, Quang Ninh province, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the European Union (EU) Delegation jointly organized the first-ever "Europe Day" event with the theme "Vietnam - EU: Working Together for a Clean Environment." This event was significant in promoting responsibility in environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and strengthening friendship and mutual understanding, fostering bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union, as well as with EU member states, in areas such as investment cooperation and sustainable economic development. The event contributed to strongly spreading the message "Let's work together to preserve and protect a clean, beautiful marine environment for future generations"...

Most recently, on November 25th, the 11th Conference on Economic Corridor Cooperation between five provinces and cities: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai (Vietnam) and Yunnan Province (China) took place in Mengzi City (Yunnan, China). Within the framework of the conference, thematic discussions on economic and trade relations; transportation connectivity; and cultural exchanges were held, with the participation of leaders from departments, agencies, and localities of the five provinces and cities of Vietnam and Yunnan Province (China).

Cargo vehicles clearing customs at the official opening ceremony of the Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China) bilateral border gate. *Photo: Manh Truong*

In addition, Quang Ninh has signed two provincial-level agreements and authorized the signing of 12 international agreements at the departmental and local levels, focusing on cooperation in trade, tourism, health, transportation, and border management. In June 2024, the official opening ceremony of the Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China) bilateral border gate took place, including the Bac Phong Sinh (Vietnam) - Ly Hoa (China) customs clearance point. This activity concretized the results of the official visit of the Quang Ninh Provincial High-Level Delegation to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) in February 2024, contributing to strengthening friendly exchanges and comprehensive cooperation in various fields between Quang Ninh province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

People-to-people diplomacy is also highly valued by the province. During the year, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations of Quang Ninh province organized a conference on people-to-people diplomacy in 2024. Nearly 100 delegates attended, representing departments, agencies, the Fatherland Front, mass organizations, member friendship associations, and leaders from districts, towns, cities, and some border communes of Quang Ninh. Through this, delegates gained information on the global and regional situation; the Party's foreign policy guidelines; directives from the Central Party Committee on people-to-people diplomacy; and the current requirements for people-to-people diplomacy. They also discussed and clarified several points to note regarding people-to-people diplomacy in border areas…

In addition, the province is also focusing on building model border gates within the national border gate system; maintaining the "village to village" twinning movement, and twinning of residential clusters on both sides of the land border... Maintaining channels for exchanging experiences and holding discussions to enhance understanding and strengthen international solidarity and friendship in line with the trend of integration and development.

Thanks to its efforts in foreign affairs, Quang Ninh is increasingly asserting its position on the international stage. Quang Ninh has become a destination for many foreign investors. As of November 15, 2024, the province had attracted over US$2,049 million in FDI, including 32 newly approved projects and 25 projects with increased capital. It is projected that by the end of 2024, an additional US$960 million will be attracted, bringing the total FDI attracted to the province for the whole year to over US$3 billion.

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