Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan: Young generation of Vietnam and China should cherish the priceless asset of 100 years

Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan shared at the Meeting Program for Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods on March 20. (Photo: Thanh Long)

On the occasion of attending the Meeting Program between Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods at the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace (Hanoi) on March 20, Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, former member of the Politburo, former Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, former Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, former student of Duc Tai Guilin School, Guangxi (China) shared with the press about the Vietnam-China friendship and personal memories with the country and people of China.

As a former Vietnamese student in China, how do you feel about the significance of Vietnam-China friendship in the 75-year tradition of relations between the two countries?

The Vietnam-China friendship has existed for a long time, in the cause of national liberation of each country, associated with President Ho Chi Minh, starting 100 years ago. In 1924, Uncle Ho went to China to train young Vietnamese people for revolutionary activities and then sent young Vietnamese people to the Whampoa Military Academy and other schools.

Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan answered the press interview on the sidelines of the Meeting Program for Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods. (Photo: Duc Anh)

During the resistance war against France, China was the rear base of the Vietnamese revolution. Some seriously wounded Vietnamese soldiers were sent to China for treatment and the Chinese side provided us with weapons. During the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu, Chinese artillery was also provided to Vietnam.

During the anti-American resistance war, China was also the rear base of the Vietnamese revolution. The fact that our generations had the opportunity to study in China reflects that, and at the same time contributes to training human resources for the future of the two countries.

Today, I have the opportunity to recall the time in China nearly 60 years ago, I am very happy and moved. Since then, many generations of Vietnamese have continued to go to China to study and contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries.

Not only is China a neighbor and revolutionary rear base, it is also a comprehensive strategic partner of Vietnam. I believe that these prerequisites will not change in the future. Looking at the past and present, we believe that if we promote all these factors well, we will develop together.

I would like to send a message that the younger generations should cherish the 100-year invaluable asset that generations of both sides have cultivated and built. Meetings with generations of Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods are meaningful events, helping to remind that the future of the two countries will be increasingly better thanks to the efforts of each country as well as comprehensive cooperation between the two peoples. It is an opportunity for the youth of the two countries to exchange and share life and future.

Looking back on your years studying in China, what memories do you cherish the most?

What impressed me most was that China helped Vietnam when your country was still in great difficulty. When studying in Guilin, walking through the corn and melon fields, we always felt a sense of familiarity with the similarities in the Vietnamese countryside. It turns out that you are just like me, but the Chinese people still share with Vietnam.

I think that in every person's life, they should go abroad once, especially to neighboring countries, to see each other, understand each other better, and thereby find similarities.

Personally, I have many memories of Guilin. The rivers in Guilin are very beautiful. Vietnamese students often swim across the rivers together even though they are not allowed to, and many times they are "scared". Those times of swimming across the rivers are also memorable memories that I will never forget.

In your opinion, how can we spread and inspire the Vietnam-China friendship among young people?

As Minister of Education and Training, I thought that foreign languages ​​were a very important bridge for countries to understand each other. In the context of general exchange, most countries choose English as the first language to learn in schools.

18 years ago, I discussed in the Ministry that it was necessary to prepare a second campaign, which is to make Chinese a popular foreign language in Vietnam, after English. Now, I really hope that schools and young people will take advantage of the opportunity to learn Chinese online so that we can improve our own abilities, as well as have the opportunity to go to China to study or work.

Each foreign language is a coordinate system in a multidimensional space for us to live, learn and grow. We hope that the Vietnamese education sector will cooperate with the Chinese education sector to promote the study and teaching of Chinese in Vietnam; promote exchanges between the two sides because that is the shortest way to develop the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.

The Vietnam-China friendship is currently developing very well. In your opinion, how has and will this friendship contribute to the development of the two countries?

The leaders of Vietnam and China have concluded: The more we cooperate, the more we understand each other, and that understanding lies in the understanding of the people of each country. This is also the origin of development cooperation.

Currently, trade between the two countries is very large. China is currently Vietnam's largest import-export partner and investment is also increasingly increasing.

Vietnam’s development also contributes to the stability and development of Southeast Asia. Vietnam’s good cooperation with China will bring stability and development to the Asian region and the world. Therefore, cooperation for mutual development will always be a very important motto for Vietnam and other countries in the world.

Thank you very much!