Young generations shape future of Vietnam-China ties: Party Chief To Lam

THE HANOI TIMES — Young generations play a key role in strengthening Vietnam-China relations and ensuring their effective and sustainable development, said General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam on March 20.

Young people from both countries serve as "young cultural ambassadors" and bridges of friendship between Vietnam and China, he said at the Gathering of Vietnamese and Chinese Alumni across Generations.

The leaders of the two parties and nations highly value the younger generations, expecting them to uphold the tradition of friendship and bring new energy and a bright future to Vietnam-China relations, he said.

"The friendship between our people is nurtured and sustained by the younger generations," said General Secretary To Lam.

He urged young people in both countries to deepen their understanding of the long history, significance, and importance of the relationship between the two Parties and nations.

Vietnamese and Chinese youths have the honor and responsibility to continue the relationship between the two socialist neighbors and take it to new heights, he added.

The General Secretary called on young people to study hard, develop their skills, master science and technology, and make practical and innovative contributions to industrialization, modernization, and economic growth.

General Secretary To Lam encouraged Vietnamese students studying in China to study and absorb Chinese cultural heritage and China's economic, social and technological progress.

At the same time, he welcomed the increasing number of Chinese students coming to Vietnam to study Vietnamese language and culture and explore investment and business development opportunities.

He called on youth organizations in the two countries to strengthen cooperation, focusing on innovative ways to educate young people about the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China.

"Educational institutions should work together to implement signed agreements, expand cultural and academic exchanges, and deepen cooperation in education and research," he said.

Youth organizations and student associations in both countries should carry out practical and effective exchange programs, especially in 2025, which has been designated as the "Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges," to strengthen social ties between the two nations.

He also stressed the importance of youth cooperation in international forums to promote peace, cooperation, and development.

General Secretary To Lam encouraged the two countries' diplomatic and friendship organizations to take better advantage of historical sites in Vietnam and China to help young people understand the revolutionary history of mutual support between the two Parties and nations. He also called on the media to continue to guide public discourse among young people.

Reflecting on the historical ties between Vietnam and China, General Secretary To Lam expressed deep gratitude to past leaders, especially President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, for fostering the strong friendship between the two nations. Throughout history, the two countries have always supported each other in a spirit of solidarity and affection.

He acknowledged China's assistance in training generations of Vietnamese students and scholars, many of whom have made great contributions to Vietnam's development and the friendship between the two countries.

To Lam also praised the event as an opportunity to reflect on Vietnam-China relations and highlight the role of students and alumni in shaping the future of bilateral ties.

He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to maintaining and strengthening its relations with China, underlining that the long-term stability and development of bilateral ties are in line with the fundamental interests of both countries.

“Vietnam prioritizes its comprehensive strategic partnership with China and is determined to build a Vietnam-China Community with a Shared Future for the benefit of both peoples and global peace and progress,” he said.

Recalling memories

Nguyen Thien Nhan, former Politburo member, former Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and former Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, was deeply moved as he recalled his student days at the Central School campus in Guilin, Guangxi.

"I started studying in China in 1966. Despite the difficulties and shortages that China experienced, Vietnamese students received the best educational conditions to prepare for future contributions to the revolution and the reconstruction of our country," he said.

"China was truly the rear base that supported the Vietnamese revolution in tough times," Nhan recalled.

Every Vietnamese student in China understood their responsibility to nurture friendship and strengthen ties between the two countries, he added.

"When President Ho Chi Minh went to China in 1925, he organized the first training course with only 75 Vietnamese students. Today, there are 25,000 Vietnamese students in China and thousands of Chinese researchers in Vietnam, demonstrating the growing exchanges and close ties between the two nations."

"We are now witnessing an unprecedented opportunity for comprehensive cooperation. By the time Vietnam and China celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations, we will be proud of our contributions to the friendship between our two countries," Nhan said.

Lu Mei Nian, a teacher at Guangxi Normal University, shared the same sentiment, paying tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and President Mao Zedong, whose policies enabled her to learn Vietnamese in Ha Giang Province and become an interpreter.

"I always want to contribute to the development of Vietnam-China friendship. It's good to see that the younger generations have better learning conditions than we did, and I hope that you, the young people, will continue to develop our bilateral relations," she said.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Wei highlighted the positive momentum of Vietnam-China relations, which have witnessed significant achievements through high-level exchanges and historic visits by top leaders of both Parties and nations. Following General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's successful visit to China in October 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam in December 2023.

A key outcome of Xi’s visit was the agreement to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership and build a Vietnam-China Community with a Shared Future. During General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to China in August 2024, both sides issued a joint statement to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Ambassador Ha Wei said that Vietnam-China relations have expanded in all fields, with political trust growing through exchanges at Party, government, legislative and local levels. Defense and security cooperation has been strengthened while trade, investment, and tourism have grown rapidly.

He expressed confidence that the younger generation will continue to play an important role in developing Vietnam-China relations in a meaningful and sustainable way.

At the event, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese and Chinese leaders toured a photo exhibition celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Leaders and officials from both sides also planted a "Vietnam-China People-to-People Exchange" tree, a symbol of their trust in the younger generation to nurture and develop friendship between the two nations.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Vietnam Television, and Vietnam News Agency in Hanoi to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the "Vietnam-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2025."

The event was attended by current and former Vietnamese leaders and senior officials and brought together some 800 delegates from both Vietnam and China, including generations of students who have witnessed and contributed to the development of Vietnam-China relations, as well as young representatives who will shape the future of bilateral relations.