On the morning of April 15, General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong, along with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, attended the Vietnam - China People’s Friendship Meeting and launched the “Red Journey: Youth Research and Study Program” as well as the Vietnam - China railway cooperation mechanism.

The leaders of both countries also visited a photo exhibition commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China.

General Secretary To Lam praised the significance of the Vietnam - China People’s Friendship Meeting, held as part of the Vietnam - China Year of People-to-People Exchanges in celebration of 75 years of diplomatic ties.

He emphasized that over the past 75 years, friendship and cooperation have remained the primary thread in the Vietnam-China relationship.

Vietnam values the advancement of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and the building of a Vietnam - China Community with a Shared Future - an effort of strategic importance that marks a solid step into a new era of development for the happiness of both peoples and for global peace and progress.

According to To Lam, one of the key directions for Vietnam - China cooperation is to “strengthen the social foundation.” In this effort, the younger generations of both countries play a pivotal role.

He called on all citizens and especially the youth of both nations to take on the responsibility of inheriting and continuously developing the "deep Vietnam-China friendship as both comrades and brothers" - a precious shared legacy nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, Chairman Mao Zedong, and other senior leaders of both nations.

The relevant agencies and organizations from both sides should work together to implement the “Red Journey: Youth Research and Study Program” effectively. Now more than ever, young people in both countries must strive to build their skills, develop creative capacities, and master emerging technologies.

They should strengthen solidarity, cooperation, and mutual support, playing a leading role in the industrialization and modernization of their respective nations, and becoming pioneers in deepening Vietnam - China relations in the new era.

President Xi Jinping expressed his delight at meeting with comrades, friendship advocates, and representatives of the youth from both nations.

With emotion, he recalled the revolutionary predecessors who made significant contributions to Vietnam - China relations. Xi reiterated that the China - Vietnam relationship is “like a tree with roots, like a stream with a source,” and that its lifeblood and strength rest in the people and the warmth of their friendship.

He affirmed that building a China - Vietnam Community with a Shared Future is a strategic mission aligned with the shared interests of both countries, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

China, he said, is willing to work with Vietnam to maintain high-level strategic exchanges and strengthen their social foundations. He proposed that both sides use the “Vietnam - China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2025” as an opportunity to expand meaningful and inclusive exchanges.

He also suggested organizing friendly, people-centric events, leveraging the “red legacy” of the two countries’ revolutions to share the story of their bilateral friendship and pass it on from one generation to the next.

On this occasion, the two sides announced the launch of the “Red Journey: Youth Research and Study Program.”

Agencies and organizations from both countries will work together to promote revolutionary historical sites in Vietnam and China - connected to the revolutionary lives of President Ho Chi Minh and past leaders of both nations - to educate the younger generation about the history of mutual support between the two countries.

In the presence of General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, both sides launched the Vietnam - China railway cooperation mechanism and established the Vietnam - China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee.

This marks a new phase and a significant milestone in bilateral railway cooperation, underscoring the commitment and determination of the two Parties and two countries to enhancing connectivity and development in the railway sector.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai