The article was released ahead of the state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping from April 14-15. It recalled that Xi has visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the late leader’s residence besides Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi on multiple occasions. Xi once remarked that for his generation, President Ho Chi Minh was the best friend of the Chinese people.
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Illustrative photo in the People's Daily's article: On November 12, 2017, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping arrives in Hanoi, starting a state visit to Vietnam. |
President Ho Chi Minh, the revered leader of the Vietnamese nation, spent 12 years in revolutionary activities across China. He founded the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the Communist Party of Vietnam in Hong Kong (China). He also led revolutionary efforts in Yunnan and Guangxi, building strong solidarity and comradeship with the Chinese military and people.
Throughout their respective struggles for national independence and liberation, Vietnam and China stood side by side, supporting each other in all circumstances. Party General Secretary and President Xi has frequently mentioned this shared history in official documents, talks and meetings, and major speeches during his visits to Vietnam.
The article also highlighted the sacrifices made by both countries in their struggles for national independence and liberation. During the Vietnamese people’s resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialists, over 1,400 Chinese soldiers were laid to rest in Vietnam.
In a 2015 conversation with Vietnamese leaders, Xi emphasized that a deep understanding of the historical journey of both nations which share mountains and rivers and are bound by enduring friendship is essential to fostering stronger ties and promoting lasting cooperation.
On the economic front, the article noted that China has remained Vietnam’s largest trading partner for more than 20 years. In 2024, bilateral trade surpassed 260 billion USD. Infrastructure projects such as the China - Vietnam cross-border railway and smart border gate initiatives have enhanced trade flows, facilitating the export of Vietnamese agricultural products like lychee, durian, and dragon fruit to China. In turn, Chinese exports of raw materials, machinery, and equipment have played a significant role in boosting Vietnam’s industrial growth.
Cultural and people-to-people exchanges have also contributed to greater mutual understanding. Classical Chinese literature is widely read in Vietnam, while Chinese films and TV series enjoy a broad fan base among Vietnamese audiences. Meanwhile, Vietnamese pop music is gaining popularity on Chinese social media platforms, and many Vietnamese artists have built strong followings through their participation in Chinese cultural and entertainment programs.
According to The People’s Daily, both nations have undergone challenging journeys - from war to independence, from isolation to reform and opening, and from poverty to prosperity. Along this path, Vietnam - China relations have developed far beyond conventional bilateral ties.
During Xi’s state visit to Vietnam in December 2023, both sides pledged to jointly build a China - Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, marking a new phase in the partnership between the two Parties and the two nations.
The article concluded that the enduring friendship as comrades plus brothers between Vietnam and China is a vivid manifestation of the close relationship between the two Parties and the two nations.
Source: VNA