Vietnam - China: Inheriting friendship, moving forward together

At the invitation of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense of China, on October 29, a high-ranking delegation of the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam led by Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Minister of National Defense, visited and participated in a seminar at Guangxi Normal University with the theme: "Inheriting friendship, moving forward together".

This activity is part of a working trip by a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to visit historical sites associated with the Vietnamese revolution in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guangdong Province (China), from October 27-31.

The seminar was attended by Lieutenant General Pham Truong Son, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army; Lieutenant General Le Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army; generals and key leaders of the Arms, Services, and units that have close cooperation with the Chinese side; Military Regions that have borders with China's Guangxi Province, as well as a large number of students and teachers of Guangxi Normal University.

Vietnamese delegation attended the seminar.

Speaking at the seminar, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien said that during the resistance war against France and the US, a number of Vietnamese schools were transferred to Guangxi to ensure the safety of teachers and students. Among them were children of military officers from the Nguyen Van Troi Military Cultural School (Nguyen Van Troi Cadet School) under the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army who were evacuated to the Duc Tai Que Lam School (the predecessor of Guangxi Normal University) to train and study.

From 1951 to 1975, more than 14,000 students graduated from Guilin and returned to Vietnam, becoming the next generation of cadres contributing to the struggle for independence, sovereignty, and national unification. Many of them later became key leaders of the Vietnamese Government and Army.

During those difficult years, many touching stories emerged about the teacher-student relationship, and the willingness of Chinese officials and people to share food and clothing with Vietnamese children. This was a memorable historical period between Vietnam and China, a valuable asset for the people of the two countries to join hands to foster the Vietnam-China friendship to increasingly blossom and bear fruit.

Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien affirmed that the Party, Government, Army and people of Vietnam always remember the wholehearted and righteous assistance of the Party, Government, Army and people of China in the past struggle for national liberation and independence and in the current cause of building socialism and developing the country. Vietnam has consistently held the view that developing friendly and cooperative relations with China is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in its overall foreign policy.

"Currently, the two Parties and two countries of Vietnam and China are facing new opportunities and challenges in the process of innovation, reform, opening up and developing the country. More than ever, both sides need a peaceful and stable environment to serve the strategic development goals of each country. I hope that Guangxi Normal University will continue to promote its tradition and contribute more to the sustainable development of the Vietnam - China friendship," said Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien.

Delegates exchange with Vietnamese students studying at Guangxi Normal University.

According to Colonel Tran Huu Dung, Deputy Head of the Military Youth Department, General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army, currently there are many Vietnamese youths who have followed in the footsteps of their predecessors to China to study and work, including Vietnamese students studying at Guangxi Normal University. This is the bridge for the special friendship between the people of Vietnam and China.

Mr. Ton Kiet Vien, Principal of Guangxi Normal University, said that the school always attaches importance to international cooperation, creating conditions for cultural and educational exchanges between China and countries around the world, including Vietnam. In 2018, the school established the Vietnam Research Institute, creating a foundation for students in the school to improve their understanding of Vietnam, especially in the fields of culture, history, language, etc. In the coming time, Guangxi Normal University will continue to expand research activities to meet the increasing demand for educational cooperation with Vietnam.

The delegation listened to an introduction of artifacts used by Vietnamese students at the Vietnam Memorial House. (Photo: People's Army Newspaper)

Before that, the delegation visited the Vietnam Memorial House at Guangxi Normal University - where many generations of Vietnamese students studied - and visited historical sites associated with the Vietnamese revolution such as Ho Chi Minh Exhibition House, Long Chau Uprising Memorial House, Nam Khe Son Hospital... Each site and relic clearly shows the close relationship between the two sides throughout the struggle for liberation and independence of the two nations.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/viet-nam-trung-quoc-ke-thua-huu-nghi-chung-tay-tien-len-206657.html