Prof.Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of Vietnam-China Friendship Association visits China

On the morning of August 23^rd, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Mr. To Vinh, Vice President of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), received the delegation.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. To Vinh said that Vietnam and China were close neighbours. The strong and long-standing relationship between the two countries, developed by President Mao Zedong and President Ho Chi Minh as well as many other leaders of both countries, is valuable to both countries. The Vice President evaluated highly contribution of past activities of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association to strengthening friendly relations and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries and expressed hope that the Association would continue to collaborate with Chinese partners and organize more exchange activities on a larger scale between the two countries in the future.

The President of Vietnam-China Friendship Association, Prof.Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang thanked the Chinese leaders for their attention to, respect for and appreciation of the Association’s activities. He confirmed, on the basis of the common understanding reached between the leaders of two countries, that Vietnam-China Friendship Association would collaborate with Chinese partners in continuing to promote the role of public diplomacy by organizing exchange activities between the people of Vietnam and China in diverse forms such as people’s festivals, people’s forums, and livelihood and humanitarian projects. With the participation of large numbers of people, these exchange activities would strengthen the strategic trust, mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries, and enhance and deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperation.

Before that meeting, the delegation held a conversation with CPAFFC. Both parties came to agreement on issues of planning and selecting methods of carrying out activities in the near future with the goal of creating more mechanisms for different groups of people, creating opportunities for them to meet and exchange knowledge and experience with each other in order to solve common problems and concerns, enhance mutual understanding and confidence, and promote real and sincere cooporation.

During their visit to China, the delegation visited Harbin Engineering University – one of the universities which trained Vietnamese students in the fields of aviation and construction during the period of 1958–1966. They also visited Harbin Electricity Company, where they engaged in mutual exchanges of knowledge and experience with the Chinese employees of that company.

In Beijing, the delegation visited and worked with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the China NGO Network for International Exchange (CNIE).

At the meeting with President of Chinese Academy of Scoial Siences Prof. and Dr. Wang Weiguang, President of Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Prof.Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang focused on practical and theoretical aspects of the processes of reform and renovation in both countries. He also discussed establishment of exchange and cooperation channels for scientists, by whichthe strategic partnership between Vietnam and China could be promoted and deepened.

Dr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong