Attending the opening ceremony, the Vietnamese delegation was led by Dong Huy Cuong, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO). Representing China were Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and Yuan Min Dao, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Delegates from both sides pose for a commemorative photo. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The people as the roots and the driving force behind the vitality and resilience of bilateral relations

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dong Huy Cuong expressed his pleasure that the Forum was being held in Fujian Province, a place where Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping worked for more than 17 years in various positions and left a profound mark.

Looking back on the historical journey from the foundations laid by President Ho Chi Minh and Chairman Mao Zedong, to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950 and the milestones that elevated bilateral ties through different periods, he emphasized a consistent message: tradition provides the foundation, political trust serves as the guiding principle, while the people are both the roots and the driving force behind the vitality and resilience of bilateral relations, with the aim of promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.

Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Dong Huy Cuong delivers remarks at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Quang An)

Against the backdrop of international developments and the impact of cyberspace on public perceptions, particularly among younger generations, strengthening the social foundation and popular support is a long-term strategic task. This provides an important space for people-to-people diplomacy to leverage its strength in connecting people with people and bringing the major orientations of the two countries closer to organizations, localities and communities.

Highlighting the significance of the Forum mechanism through its 13 previous editions, he noted that this year’s Forum is taking place at a special moment, as Viet Nam has just held the 14th National Party Congress and is preparing to enter a new era of development, while China is actively implementing its “15th five-year plan.” At the same time, the Joint Statement issued in April by the senior leaders of the two Parties and two States affirmed their determination to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of a Viet Nam-China Community with a shared future of greater strategic significance at a higher level. Building on this foundation, he expressed his expectation that the discussions would be in-depth, frank and substantive, clearly identifying areas in which people’s organizations, localities, research institutes, universities, media organizations and young people from both countries can leverage their respective strengths.

Four key proposals for building a stronger social foundation

Yang Wanming emphasized that China and Viet Nam are friendly socialist neighbors that share the same aspirations and a shared future. Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two Parties and two States, bilateral relations have grown stronger through challenges.

Speaking highly of the Viet Nam-China People’s Forum mechanism since it was jointly initiated by the Association and the Union in 2010, he affirmed that the Forum is a useful channel for dialogue that has continuously expanded from traditional areas to experience-sharing on national governance, poverty reduction, environmental protection and artificial intelligence. The 14th Forum is being held in Fujian Province, a pioneering area for putting into practice Xi Jinping thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, enabling experts to directly experience the achievements of Chinese modernization. With a view to implementing the shared understanding of “six mores,” particularly the goal of a “stronger social foundation,” he put forward four key proposals for the successful organization of this year’s Forum:

First, remain steadfast in the original mission and firmly consolidate the political foundation. As China marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and Viet Nam marks the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the two sides should maintain political trust and remain steadfast on the socialist path suited to each country, while promoting exchanges on national governance experience to enrich the theory and practice of socialist development.

President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Yang Wanming delivers remarks at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Quang An)

Second, deepen substantive cooperation and unleash development momentum. Leveraging the impressive growth in bilateral trade, which reached US$215.19 billion in the first seven months of 2026, the two countries should focus cooperation on key areas such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green development and the cross-border economy.

Third, carry forward the friendship between the two neighboring countries and strengthen people-to-people ties. People-to-people exchanges are the firmest foundation and the most dynamic driving force for bilateral relations. In the coming period, the two sides should continue promoting initiatives in cultural exchanges, education, media and youth engagement.

Fourth, jointly shoulder the responsibilities of the times and expand multilateral cooperation. In the face of profound changes in the international landscape, the two sides should uphold the shared values of humanity, including peace, fairness and development, and promote common prosperity in the region and the world.

Translating strategic trust into concrete and sustainable cooperation outcomes

Phan Kim Nga, Professor of the second rank at the Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, affirmed that strategic trust is the cornerstone underpinning the foundations of a Community with a Shared Future. She pointed out that high-level visits by leaders of the two Parties and countries, together with extensive cooperation among theoretical research institutions, Party schools, organizational bodies, and inspection and supervision agencies, have created the strongest political foundation for bilateral relations.

View of the opening ceremony. (Photo: Quang An)

This trust has directly driven substantial cooperation to make remarkable progress. In the first seven months of this year, bilateral trade continued to grow by 33.7% year on year. The two countries are actively working to connect standard-gauge railway infrastructure and cooperate in new technologies. In terms of security and defense, the two sides have established the “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism at the ministerial level involving foreign affairs, defense and public security. The navies of the two countries have completed 36 joint patrols in the Gulf of Tonkin and maintained joint patrols along the land border.

Alongside economic and security cooperation, people-to-people exchanges have continued to deepen. The “Red Journey” study and research program for Vietnamese youth in China has been implemented in more than 10 localities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Fujian and Guangdong. The Ban Gioc (Viet Nam)-Detian (China) transborder waterfall tourism area has become a notable model for connecting people and promoting the border economy.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony. (Photo: Quang An)

Highlighting the participation of 26 experts and scholars from the two countries at this year’s Forum, Phan Kim Nga proposed four key directions: consistently strengthening theoretical thinking as the political foundation; elevating transport infrastructure connectivity and the cross-border economy; developing long-term plans for youth exchanges between the two countries; and making joint efforts to uphold international fairness while effectively managing and resolving differences to safeguard the overall picture of lasting friendship between the two countries.

Youth Urged to Take Lead in Learning, Innovation and Fostering Viet Nam-China Friendship On the evening of August 24, in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, the opening ceremony of the “Red journey for research and study” program for Vietnamese youth was held. At the event, Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Ngoc Hung emphasized that young people should take the lead in learning and creative work, become ambassadors of peace, and actively contribute to fostering the friendship between Viet Nam and China.

Building More Bridges of Viet Nam-China Friendship On the occasion of the National Congress of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations for the 2026-2031 term, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries sent a congratulatory letter. In the letter, the Association acknowledged the contributions of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations to promoting friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and expressed its hope that the two sides would continue to organize exchange programs and build more bridges for Viet Nam-China cooperation.