Vietnam pays tribute to Chinese veterans and experts

On December 9, in Beijing (China), the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam held a meeting with Chinese veterans and experts who participated in helping the Vietnamese revolution.

Attending the program were Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Vietnam Ha Vi; Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to China Pham Sao Mai and leaders of departments, ministries and branches participating in the Deputy Prime Minister's working delegation.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized the historical significance of the years of difficult but glorious struggle, when the two peoples of Vietnam and China fought side by side against foreign invaders. He expressed his deep gratitude: "Comrades, you have directly witnessed and contributed to building the "close Vietnam - China relationship, both as comrades and brothers". On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to send to you, comrades, my friendly greetings and my most sincere gratitude and respect."

Chinese veterans and experts join in helping the Vietnamese Revolution. (Photo: VGP)

The Deputy Prime Minister also recalled China’s wholehearted and sincere assistance to Vietnam in the resistance wars against colonialism and imperialism, as well as in the cause of national construction and development. He affirmed that Vietnam always remembers this valuable support, demonstrated through practical actions such as the restoration of Chinese martyrs’ cemeteries in Vietnam - a vivid demonstration of the spirit of “Remembering the person who planted the tree when eating the fruit”.

Also at the meeting, Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien shared about the blood ties between the two countries through historical events. He mentioned the image of General Nguyen Son (Hong Thuy), the only Vietnamese person to complete the Long March of the Chinese Red Army; or Vietnam's readiness to send military forces to support the Thap Van Dai Son campaign in 1949, even when the domestic resistance was still difficult.

During Vietnam's struggles for national independence and unification, China was one of the countries that helped Vietnam a lot, both in terms of weapons and equipment, logistics, technology, and training of cadres and soldiers, contributing significantly to the victory of the Vietnamese people in the resistance wars.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed: “Vietnam always appreciates, remembers and is grateful for the great, timely, wholehearted and righteous assistance of the Party, Government, people and Army of China; the dedication and sacrifice of Chinese veterans and military experts to Vietnam, contributing to helping Vietnam and the Vietnam People's Army achieve great victories in the cause of national liberation and reunification.”

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son visited and presented gifts to Mr. Truong Van Ban. (Photo: VGP)

Representing the Chinese veterans and experts, Mr. Truong Van Ban, a veteran who participated in Vietnam's resistance war against the US, said that half a century has passed but the soldiers have not forgotten the great mission and friendship between China and Vietnam. He expressed his deep and sincere thanks to the Party, Government and people of Vietnam for always visiting and caring for the Chinese veterans and experts.

"We have more motivation to continue to pass on the flame of Vietnam-China friendship from generation to generation, unite, gather strength, continue to strive for glory, so that the people of China and Vietnam can stand side by side, work together, and write a new chapter of China-Vietnam friendship," said veteran Truong Van Ban.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien invited veterans, experts and their relatives to Vietnam to attend the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day. Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son hoped that veterans and experts would arrange time to visit Vietnam to witness the achievements of the Vietnamese revolution that they themselves had jointly built.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-tri-an-cuu-chien-binh-va-chuyen-gia-trung-quoc-208345.html