(VOVWORLD) - On January 18, 1950, China became the first country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, marking an important historical milestone in their bilateral relationship. Since then, Vietnam-China tieshave continuously expanded and deepened toward a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and a "Vietnam-China community of a shared future carrying strategic significance".
 (Illustrative photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
Vietnam and China share a border of mountains and rivers and cultural similarities. Their friendship was founded and nurtured by predecessors like President Mao Zedong and President Ho Chi Minh to maintain “comradeship and brotherhood”.
Friendship and cooperation are the mainstream
Over the past 75 years, although the relationship has had difficult times, friendship and cooperation have remained the mainstream, a valuable asset of both nations that has contributed to their development and generated practical benefits for their peoples.
In its struggle for national liberation and independence, Vietnam always received support and assistance from China, which the Vietnamese Party and State highly appreciate and will never forget. The 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations will take place at a time when Vietnam is preparing to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's departure from Moscow to Guangzhou as a representative of Communist International.
“During these years, President Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese revolutionary leaders received wholehearted support from the Chinese Communist Party and people, especially in the establishment of the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth League, the predecessor of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Vietnam always appreciates China's valuable support for its past national liberation and its current construction and development,” said former Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai.
Since 1991, the two countries' senior leaders have maintained regular visits and contacts. The two countries have always treated each other with mutual respect and responded jointly to regional and global issues.
Bilateral trade has grown annually. Last year, import-export turnover totaled more than 205 billion USD, up 33.3 billion USD from 2023, marking a record high in two-way trade. With this result, China became Vietnam's largest trading partner.
The demarcation of the land border through treaties and legal documents since 2008 has maintained stability, order, and social security in the border area, while promoting trade and travel.
“The completion of border demarcation and marker planting has great historical significance, opening a new page in the bilateral relationship, and marking a turning point in the history of border construction between Vietnam and China. It meets the aspirations of their people, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world, and affirming the enforcement of international law,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
The two sides have implemented an agreement on cooperation in protecting and exploiting the tourism resources of Ban Gioc waterfall in Vietnam and Detian in China.
“The biggest thing we’ve gained is an enhanced cooperative relationship. The two sides have coordinated to promote tourism in this area and the friendly cooperative relationship between Vietnam and China. This is an example of cross-border tourism and green tourism that matches the shared perception and agreement,” Hoang Xuan Anh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province, said.
New journey, shared future
The deepening of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the “Vietnam-China community of a shared future carryingstrategic significance” holds even greater importance for both countries in the current context. This message was reaffirmed by Party General Secretary To Lam of Vietnam and Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping during a phone conversation on Wednesday.
Mr. Lam emphasized that Vietnam consistently views the development of relations with China as a top priority in its foreign policy. Mr. Xi said the Chinese Party and State prioritize strengthening relations with Vietnam as part of their neighborhood diplomacy.
The two leaders agreed to continue strategic exchanges between the two Parties and countries, particularly high-level exchanges that guide the overall strategy for a mutually beneficial relationship.
It is necessary to create breakthroughs in economic cooperation and explore new areas such as science, technology, and the digital economy, which will be important pillars of bilateral relations in the future, they said.