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

On the morning of March 20, at the Vietnam - China Friendship Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations held a meeting with Vietnamese and Chinese students from different periods.

In the Joint Statement during General Secretary To Lam's visit to China (August 2024), the two sides declared 2025 as the "Year of Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange". The two sides jointly organized a series of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The affection between the people of the two countries is inspired and maintained by the young generation.

Speaking at the meeting, General Secretary To Lam expressed his emotion when listening to Chinese friendship figures and students from both countries sharing and recalling profound memories and good feelings during their time studying and working in China and Vietnam; at the same time, he also expressed his trust and hope for a bright future for the development of relations between the two countries.

The General Secretary emphasized that Vietnam and China are two neighboring countries "connected by mountains and rivers", with a long-standing tradition of friendship, summed up by both peoples in very subtle and profound ways such as "long-time neighbors become relatives" or "good neighbors are treasures", "neighbors help each other in times of need".

China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam and Vietnam was also the first Southeast Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Throughout the revolutionary journey, the two countries have always given each other great, effective, sincere and righteous help and support.

"Chinese comrades have welcomed many Vietnamese cadres, pupils and students to study and research and created the best conditions for studying and living, typically Vietnamese schools in Nanning and Guilin (Guangxi).

It is from that favorable environment that many generations of Vietnamese intellectuals have grown up, many of whom have become high-ranking leaders of the Party and State, leading experts in many fields, military and police generals, famous artists and writers, making many important contributions to the Vietnamese revolutionary cause and the friendship between the two countries," said the General Secretary.

Over the past 75 years, the world and the region have undergone many changes, but a common perception has remained unchanged: the stable, 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.

Vietnam affirms that it consistently attaches importance to and gives top priority to, and is determined to work with China to develop the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and build a Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance.

Reviewing the developments in the relationship between the two countries, the General Secretary shared that for the Vietnam-China relationship to develop comprehensively and substantially as it is today, the most important factor is mutual trust and understanding.

The young generation has always received special attention and expectations from the leaders of the two Parties and countries as a force with the ambition to follow in the footsteps of their fathers and elders, inherit the tradition of friendship, and bring strong vitality and a bright future to the Vietnam-China relationship.

The General Secretary quoted a letter to the youth and children nationwide that beloved President Ho Chi Minh once wrote: "A year begins in spring, a life begins in youth, youth is the spring of society."

China also has a very good saying: "Relations between countries are based on the intimacy of people, the intimacy of people is in the same heartbeat".

"Reality shows that the affection between the people of the two countries is inspired and maintained by the young generation," the General Secretary emphasized.

Currently, the number of Vietnamese students studying in China has reached a record high of nearly 24,000 students (double the number of the previous 5-year period) and more than 2,000 Chinese students are studying in Vietnam.

Many youth exchange activities are held regularly. Students and youth of the two countries, with their dynamism, creativity and enthusiasm, are playing the role of "young cultural ambassadors" and are bridges connecting the friendship between the two countries.

Youth continues, bringing the relationship between the two countries to new heights

The General Secretary said that the world is entering a new phase, and the cooperative relationship between the two countries is having positive and comprehensive developments.

For Vietnam, this is a particularly important starting point for entering a new era of national development. China has entered a new era, achieved many great achievements, and laid a solid foundation for comprehensively building a modern socialist power, striving to achieve the second 100-year goal.

The General Secretary said that it is increasingly important to continuously deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of a "Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future of Strategic Significance" to enter a new era of development.

This is an honorable responsibility that requires determination and goodwill from both sides, in which the younger generation plays a pivotal role.

The General Secretary said that the young generation of the two countries needs to raise their awareness of the historical depth, significance and strategic height of the relationship between the two Parties and the two countries. The youth of the two countries have the honor and responsibility to continue and develop the relationship between the two countries to new heights.

The youth of the two countries need to make efforts to study, practice, and constantly strive to master science and technology. The General Secretary suggested that Vietnamese students studying abroad take advantage of valuable study and research opportunities in China to absorb the quintessence of Chinese civilization and the achievements and experience in socio-economic development, science and technology of the neighboring country.

Vietnam welcomes more and more Chinese youth to come to Vietnam to study, learn about Vietnamese language and culture, and seek investment, business and development opportunities.

The education and training agencies of the two countries will jointly promote the good implementation of agreements, expand and deepen more practically the forms of exchange and cooperation in culture, education, training and research.

The General Secretary also suggested that the Youth Union and Student Associations of the two countries promote practical and effective youth exchange and cooperation programs, especially in the "Vietnam - China Humanitarian Exchange Year 2025".

Diplomatic agencies, friendship organizations, and youth organizations of the two countries together research, use, and exploit "red" sites and relics in both Vietnam and China...

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Vi affirmed that Vietnam-China relations maintained good development momentum and achieved many important results.

Political trust continues to be enhanced through exchanges and cooperation through channels of the Party, Government, National Assembly, Fatherland Front, localities and people's organizations of the two countries. Defense and security cooperation is consolidated and expanded with flexible forms of exchange and contact; trade, investment and tourism cooperation has increased strongly...

The Ambassador hopes that the young generation of the two countries will continue to play a core role in developing the Vietnam-China relationship well, effectively, and sustainably, so that the young tree of China-Vietnam friendship will become a lush friendship forest.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai