HCM City offers help to Vientiane and Phnom Penh in COVID-19 fight
VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City has offered both Vientiane and Phnom Penh a sum of US$50,000 each as part of efforts to support the capitals of Laos and Cambodia to overcome the negative impact caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, symbolically handed over the assistance to the Consul Generals of Laos and Cambodia in the southern city. This occurred following an online working session held on May 7 between him, Vientiane’s Mayor Atsaphangthong Siphandone, and Phnom Penh’s Governor Khuong Sreng.
During the course of the working session, the Ho Chi Minh City leader underlined that amid complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the southern city has maintained a close eye on the situation in Vientiane and Phnom Penh. Indeed, it has now initiated efforts to help ease the difficulties facing the two cities due to the pandemic.
The Party Organisation, administration, and people of Ho Chi Minh City have also supported Vientiane, Phnom Penh, and other localities in both Laos and Cambodia by providing them with medical supplies, he noted.
Phong added that assistance shows the sentiments felt by the nation and Ho Chi Minh City for the two neighbouring countries.
Phong therefore affirmed that the southern city places great importance on striving to improve relations with Laos and Cambodia, as well as their respective capital cities.
He stated his hope that the pandemic will be brought under competent control in order to allow both sides to recover trade ties, along with resuming exchange and co-operation activities.
In response, Vientiane Mayor Siphandone expressed his hope that the three countries will move to strengthen their partnership to control the pandemic moving forward. He stressed that close collaboration among Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam is a significant factor to enjoying success in the COVID-19 fight in each country as it creates an important foundation for them to boost socio-economic development whilst ensuring stability and prosperity throughout the region.
Meanwhile, Phnom Penh Governor Sreng hailed the initiative of Ho Chi Minh City to hold the online working session, which showcases the joint efforts and determination being put into COVID-19 prevention and control.
The Phnom Penh leader said that both Cambodia and Phnom Penh are taking drastic measures to prevent the further spreading of the pandemic.