The Chinese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Xu Mingliang, on December 22 handed over VND410 million ($21.02 million) to the “Fund for the Poor” of Vietnam’s southern province of Binh Duong. The sum was contributed by 23 Chinese companies and individuals who are doing business in the province, in response to the Consul General’s appeal on the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. A large number of Chinese enterprises are investing in Vietnam and many of them are operating in Binh Duong as the province is located next to the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City, Xu said. Binh Duong province has shown good performances in administrative reforms and created favorable conditions for business and production activities of foreign investors, including China, the official added. Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Hoang Son expressed his thank to the Chinese companies for their donations and briefed the province’s socio-economic development. Currently, 80 China-invested projects capitalized at $232 million are operating in Binh Duong, Son said, expecting that more Chinese companies will boost investments in the province in the years to come. The leader also pledged to continue to create better conditions for foreign investors to effectively do business in Binh Duong province. (vovnews.vn Dec 23)
