Cao Bang (VNA) – Cao Bang has taken creative and effective ways to promote externalrelations and international cooperation for its stronger socio-economicdevelopment, said Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in a meeting withleaders of the northern border province on May 18.

Son was on avisit to Cao Bang to discuss with the provincial leaders about the province’sexternal affairs in 2017 and the development of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark whichwas recognised as a global geopark by UNESCO earlier this year.

Cao Bangstrengthened comprehensive partnership with Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region ofChina in 2017. The province also established and expanded relations with severalother Chinese localities in economy, trade, investment and tourism last year.It have signed eight agreements with foreign localities, organised high-leveldelegation exchanges with Guangxi and sent officials on study trips to Chinaand Southeast Asian nations.

The provinceplans to continue raising people’s awareness of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark,developing materials and taking part in a number of events for the promotion ofthe geopark.

Son urged theprovince to further expand cooperative relations with Chinese localities andset up partnerships with other nations like France, the Republic of Korea andJapan. He also asked the province to well prepare for a ceremony toreceive the certificate recognizing the Non Nuoc Cao Bang as an UNESCO Geoparkand a local investment promotion conference in late 2018.

Cao Bang shouldlearn more experiences from other countries in fostering foreign affairs,attracting FDI, ODA and managing border areas and developing human resources workingin external affairs, he said.

The DeputyMinister suggested the province to fully unlock the potential of the Non Nuoc CaoBang Global Geopark and take it as an opportunity to develop tourism.

Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark was recognised as a global geopark by the UNESCOGlobal Geoparks Council in Paris on April 12 this year.

This is the secondUNESCO-recognised Global Geopark in Vietnam after Dong Van Karst Plateau,received recognition eight years ago.

Founded in 2015, Non Nuoc Cao Bang is about 300km from Hanoi capital city. It covers more than3,000 sq.km in the districts of Ha Quang, Tra Linh, Quang Uyen, Trung Khanh, HaLang and Phuc Hoa and part of Hoa An, Nguyen Binh and Thach An districts.

The geopark is home tofossils, ocean sediment, volcanic rocks, minerals, and especially karstlandscapes, which can give researchers an insight into more than 500 millionyears of history of the earth. It is also well known for rich biodiversity andmany indigenous fauna and flora species.

Aside from naturalvalues, it contains a number of tangible and intangible cultural heritageassets, particularly revolutionary relic sites such as special national relicsite of Pac Bo, where Nguyen Ai Quoc or President Ho Chi Minh, returned in 1941to lead the domestic revolution after spending over 30 years overseas lookingfor ways to save the country.

It is also home tospecial national relic site of Tran Hung Dao Forest, where late General VoNguyen Giap in 1944 established the Vietnam Propaganda and Liberation Army, thepredecessor of the Vietnam People’s Army today.-VNA