People-to-people bonds at heart of Vietnam-China relations

THE HANOI TIMES — The ties between the two peoples, especially those fostered among the youth, will continue to be a driving force in the advancement of Vietnam-China relations.

This view was shared by Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two leaders participated in a series of activities to promote Vietnam-China friendship in Hanoi today [April 15].

In particular, General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong, together with CPC General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping, visited the photo exhibition marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, attended the Vietnam-China People's Friendship Exchange, and launched the "Red Journey: Youth Research and Study Program."

In his remarks, General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated the significance of the Friendship Exchange, held during the Vietnam–China Year of People-to-People Exchanges and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

He stressed that over the past 75 years, friendship and cooperation have remained the main current of Vietnam-China relations. The Party and State of Vietnam place great importance on promoting the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future, which is of strategic significance as the two countries enter a new era of development, for the happiness of their peoples and the cause of peace and progress of mankind.

General Secretary To Lam noted that one of the most fundamental and important directions for Vietnam–China cooperation is to "strengthen the social foundation" of the relationship, in which the younger generations of both countries play a core role.

He called on people from all walks of life and especially the youth of both nations to shoulder the responsibility for inheriting and further developing the profound "Vietnam-China friendship, comrades, and brothers" carefully nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, Chairman Mao Zedong and other pioneering leaders of both nations.

He also encouraged relevant agencies and organizations of the two countries to coordinate effectively in implementing the "Red Journey: Youth Research and Study Program."

The youth should now more than ever strive for self-improvement, enhance creativity, master new technologies, and strengthen solidarity, cooperation and mutual support for common development. By doing so, they can truly become the pioneering force in the industrialization and modernization of each country, and take the lead in advancing Vietnam-China relations in the new era, the Vietnamese Party Chief said.

Xi Jinping expressed his delight at the opportunity to meet comrades, friendship ambassadors, and representatives of the young generation of the two countries during his visit to Vietnam.

He emotionally recalled the revolutionary predecessors who made great contributions to the relations between the two parties and the two countries, stressing that China-Vietnam relations are "like a tree with roots, like a stream with a source", with the roots, lifeblood and strength of bilateral relations lying in the people and friendship between them.

He affirmed that building a China–Vietnam Community with a Shared Future is of strategic importance, which meets the common interests of the two countries. It also contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

The Chinese leader stressed that China is willing to work with Vietnam to maintain high-level strategic exchanges and strengthen the social foundation of bilateral relations. He called on both sides to take the "Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2025" as an opportunity to promote diverse and meaningful cultural and people-to-people exchanges, organize warm and popular events, and effectively utilize the "red heritage" of the two countries' revolutionary history. By telling the story of Vietnam-China friendship more vividly, the bond between the two peoples can be passed on from generation to generation.

On this occasion, both sides officially launched the "Red Journey: Youth Research and Study Program". Under this initiative, agencies and organizations from both countries will cooperate to promote the influence of revolutionary historical sites in Vietnam and China, especially those associated with President Ho Chi Minh and other revolutionary pioneers of both countries, to improve awareness among the younger generations. It aims to deepen their understanding of the mutual revolutionary support between Vietnam and China, enhancing their appreciation of the traditional friendship and significance of the bilateral relations between the two Communist Parties and two countries.

In the presence of General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and General Secretary of the CPC and President of China Xi Jinping, the two sides launched the Vietnam-China Railway Cooperation Mechanism and established the Vietnam-China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee. This is an important milestone in bilateral railway cooperation, reflecting the determination of the two Parties and States to advance cooperation in this strategic sector.