Young generation brings vitality and bright future to Vietnam - China relations

Also attending the event were leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, a number of departments, ministries, branches, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, the Vietnam - China Friendship Association; the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, officials of the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, representatives of Chinese friendship personalities, Chinese enterprises in Vietnam, and more than 800 Vietnamese and Chinese students studying abroad.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the program "Meeting Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods". (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Speaking at the event, General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated the significance of the program "Meeting Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods", which is an opportunity to share about the Vietnam-China friendship, especially conveying the message about the role and determination of students of the two countries through the periods in promoting the vision for the new era of development of each Party, each country and the relationship between the two brotherly nations.

Looking back on the historical revolutionary journey of the two countries, General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude, pride and respect for the great contributions of generations of leaders of the two Parties and countries, specifically President Ho Chi Minh and President Mao Zedong, who laid the foundation for the "close Vietnam-China relationship, both comrades and brothers" and which was diligently cultivated by generations of leaders of both sides; emphasized that throughout the heroic revolutionary journey, the two Parties, two countries and people of the two countries have always given each other great, sincere and wholehearted help and support; expressed gratitude for China's reception and creation of the best conditions for Vietnamese cadres, overseas students and students to study and research, from which many generations of Vietnamese intellectuals have matured and made important contributions to Vietnam's revolutionary cause and the friendship between the two countries.

Emphasizing that the stable and long-term sustainable development of the relationship between the two Parties and two countries is the earnest desire and fundamental interest of the two peoples, in line with the major trend of the times, General Secretary To Lam affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam consistently attach importance to and give top priority to, and are determined to work with the Party and State of China to develop the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, build a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance, for the happiness of the people of the two countries, for the cause of peace and progress of mankind.

General Secretary To Lam and delegates take a souvenir photo. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Pleased to see that the youth of the two countries are playing a good role as "young cultural ambassadors" and are the bridges connecting the friendship between the two countries, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the young generation has always received special attention from the leaders of the two Parties and two countries and is expected to inherit the tradition of friendship, bringing strong vitality and a bright future to the Vietnam - China relationship; reality shows that the affection of the people of the two countries is inspired and maintained by the young generation; the young generation of the two countries is the core force in developing the Vietnam - China relationship well, effectively and sustainably.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the program "Meeting Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods". (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

"First, the young generation of the two countries needs to raise their awareness of the historical depth, important significance and strategic height of the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries. I wholeheartedly share the profound opinion of Comrade Xi Jinping at the "Meeting with Vietnamese and Chinese Friendship Scholars and Young Generations" in 2023: "The foundation of China-Vietnam friendship lies in the people and the future lies in the youth". The youth of the two countries have the honor and responsibility to continue and bring the relationship between our two socialist neighboring countries to new heights.

Second, the youth of the two countries need to make efforts to study, practice, and constantly strive to master science and technology to make practical and creative contributions to the industrialization, modernization, and development of new productive forces of each country, contributing to consolidating the material foundation of the bilateral relationship. I suggest that Vietnamese students studying abroad take advantage of the precious opportunity to study and research in China to absorb the quintessence of Chinese civilization and the achievements and experiences in socio-economic development and advanced science and technology of our friendly country, China. We always welcome more and more Chinese youth to come to Vietnam to study, learn about Vietnamese language and culture, as well as seek investment, business, and development opportunities.

Third, the agencies and organizations of the two countries continue to closely follow the high-level common awareness on strengthening and innovating the propaganda and education work for the young generation of the two countries about the traditional friendship between the two Parties and the two countries and the development achievements of each country, thereby enhancing the pride and confidence of the youth. The educational and training agencies of the two countries together promote the good implementation of signed agreements, expand and deepen more practical forms of exchange and cooperation in culture, education, training and research.

(General Secretary To Lam)

Speaking at the program, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Vi reviewed major milestones in the history of friendly relations between the two Parties and the two countries. The Ambassador emphasized that during the struggle for national independence, the two countries always stood side by side, shared hardships and supported each other.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Vi speaks at the Program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Ambassador Ha Vi expressed his delight at the strong development trend of bilateral relations in recent years, especially since the top leaders of the two Parties and countries agreed to elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and build a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance. Appreciating the good achievements both sides have achieved in the fields of foreign affairs, economic-trade cooperation, investment, culture, education, humanities exchange, and strengthening the social foundation between the two countries, Ambassador Ha Vi expressed his hope that the young generation, Vietnamese and Chinese students will continue to inherit, preserve and promote the tradition of friendship, a valuable common asset of the two peoples.

Delegates of intellectuals and Vietnamese-Chinese students from different periods shared at the Program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

At the event, Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, former Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, former Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, and former student of a Vietnamese school in Guangxi, said: “When I was 13 years old, I and other students from Nguyen Van Troi Military Academy were sent to study at Guilin Duc Tai School. At that time, Vietnam was in a difficult and deprived situation, and China was also in a difficult situation. However, Chinese schools provided Vietnamese students with the best possible conditions.

I still remember the meal in the Duc Tai kitchen. Chinese students often eat in large bowls, with food served together. Vietnamese students, on the other hand, sit at tables of 4-5 people, each with their own portion. My first impression at that time was that you were giving Vietnam the best conditions.

Nguyen Van Troi School existed for 5 years and 6 months, of which 20 months were spent in China. The students who were trained in that environment, no matter what their future careers, always realize that the Vietnam-China relationship is a friendly neighborly relationship. We have the responsibility to nurture that friendship.

“Never before has the opportunity for comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China been as good as it is today. We are cooperating closely in education, economy and many other fields. I believe that in the next 100 years, the relationship between the two countries will grow stronger and more brilliant.”

Ms. Lu My Niem, former interpreter of the 2/9 Vietnamese School in Guangxi, recounted a story from the past: “Guilin was very poor at that time, people around the school still wore patched clothes and ate simple meals. But Vietnamese students were given priority to have full meals. The Chinese side also sent more than 50 people, from teachers, caterers to electricians, to support the school. I acted as an interpreter and listened to the students' complaints and reported them to the Guilin Foreign Affairs Department. I always treated the students like family members.

“I grew up in the friendship between Vietnam and China all my life. I always tell myself how to repay the friendship I have received. I hope the next generation will continue to preserve and promote this fine tradition,” said Ms. Lu My Niem.

Mr. Li Xiaoxian, Vice President of Guangxi Normal University, said that Guangxi Normal University is one of the schools with the largest number of Vietnamese students in China. The school's campuses in Nanning and Guilin used to be the location of the Duc Tai schools for Vietnamese students, which welcomed more than 10,000 Vietnamese students. Currently, the school is training more than 5,000 Vietnamese students. In response to the requirements of the new context and era, Guangxi Normal University is implementing many solutions to promote educational cooperation between the two countries such as: coordinating with Vietnamese universities to promote language teaching, organizing competitions such as "Chinese Bridge", creating a solid foundation for Vietnamese students to study and research. Increasing the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, attracting more students at different levels, meeting increasingly diverse learning needs. In particular, promoting understanding of the history of friendship between the two countries through the program "Following in Ho Chi Minh's footsteps"...

The school also plans to expand cooperation with major universities in Vietnam to train Chinese and Vietnamese, promote two-way student exchanges. At the same time, apply modern technology to build innovation centers, creating a foundation for deeper cooperation between the two sides.

In a friendly atmosphere, delegates were moved to listen to the elders, Chinese friendship figures and students from both countries sharing, recalling profound memories and good feelings during their time studying and working in China and Vietnam; at the same time expressing their trust and expectations for a bright future for the development of relations between the two Parties, two countries and two peoples.

The program "Meeting Vietnamese and Chinese students of all periods" is a key event within the framework of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (January 18, 1950 - January 18, 2025) and "Vietnam - China Humanitarian Exchange Year".

General Secretary To Lam and delegates plant trees for the "Vietnam - China Humanitarian Exchange" program. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Within the framework of the program, General Secretary To Lam, together with leaders and former leaders of the Party and State, and the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, viewed the Photo Exhibition on the achievements of 75 years of Vietnam-China relations; and planted the "Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange" tree. General Secretary To Lam recalled the memory of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong planting the "Friendship" tree at the Huu Nghi border gate and the significance of the "Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange" tree planting event. The General Secretary hoped that the people and young generations of the two countries would inherit and promote the tradition of friendship, promoting the continuous development of Vietnam-China relations.