Chinese association vows to nurture relations with Vietnam

Beijing (VNA) - The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) will work to foster relations between Vietnam and China in a long-term and sustainable manner.

President of the CPAFFC Li Xiaolin made the remark at a meeting with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Beijing on January 13.

She expressed her honour to receive the Friendship Order of the Vietnamese Party and State, which was presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, in recognition of her contributions to enhancing Vietnam-China friendship.

Li Xiaolin said she has visited Vietnam four times and each trip made a deep impression on her.

She added that exchanges between Vietnamese and Chinese States should be based on people-to-people exchanges, and both sides must promote bilateral collaboration.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said the enhancement of mutual understanding, friendship, trust and cooperation between the two peoples is necessary to develop relations.

He lauded the CPAFFC and the China – Vietnam Friendship Association for hosting various activities to propel bilateral amity.

The Party chief said he hoped the Chinese associations will continue coordinating with Vietnam to increase friendly exchanges between the two peoples, especially among young generations.

He underlined the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and China, which was founded by late President Ho Chi Minh and President Mao Zedong and nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples.

During his ongoing visit to China from January 12-15, the two sides have agreed to elevate their relationship to a new height via various cooperation mechanisms and dialogue channels, of which the role of the CPAFFC is crucial, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said.

He hoped the association will build on its accomplishments to launch more activities and new initiatives to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese people.

Li Xiaolin informed the host about the association’s activities and said people-to-people exchanges could help increase political trust between the two countries.

The signing of a cooperation plan between the CPAFFC and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations in 2017-2021 will help the two sides enhance people-to-people exchanges, she added./.