Need to maintain the "heat" of people-to-people exchange between Vietnam and China

- Sir, you have participated in many people's foreign affairs activities such as: Vietnam - China People's Forum, visiting "red addresses" - where President Ho Chi Minh used to carry out revolutionary activities in China... How do you evaluate the significance of these activities? Among them, which activity left the deepest impression on you?

China and Vietnam are "mountains connected, rivers connected", have close cultures and favorable natural conditions to promote humanistic exchanges. In recent years, many activities in diverse forms such as: Vietnam - China Youth Friendship Meeting, Vietnam - China People's Forum, media exchanges, reporters exchanging work, friendly exchanges between research institutions as well as experts and scholars, friendly relations in border areas... have enriched the channels of exchange between the two countries, constantly promoting understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries.

As General Secretary Xi Jinping once emphasized: “The foundation of China-Vietnam friendship lies in the people, the future lies in the youth”. This year, China and Vietnam celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (January 18, 1950 – January 18, 2025), which is also the China-Vietnam Year of People’s Exchange. I believe that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Vietnam will continue to open up new developments, strongly promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Journalist Wei Wei, Head of Vietnamese Department, China Central Radio and Television (CMG). (Photo: Organizing Committee of the program "Meeting and exchanging media between Vietnam and China")

For me, 2024 is a memorable year with many meaningful cultural exchange activities. Among them, the most memorable activity is the China-Vietnam Youth Friendship Exchange program jointly organized by China Central Radio and Television and Vietnamese agencies such as the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Thanh Nien newspaper, and Vietnam Television (VTV) in October 2024.

The program selected 10 Vietnamese youth representatives and 10 Chinese youth representatives to participate in friendly exchanges and film recordings in Guangzhou and Dongguan (Guangdong Province, China) on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary activities in Guangzhou. In particular, the program's launching ceremony was solemnly held at the Vietnam Revolutionary Youth Association Headquarters Memorial Site, creating an emotional and sacred atmosphere.

During the exchange in Guangzhou, the delegation offered incense at the tomb of Vietnamese revolutionary patriot Pham Hong Thai, visited the Guangzhou Peasant Movement Research and Study Headquarters, and the Huangpu Military School... Through this, the delegates delved deeper into the profound revolutionary friendship between China and Vietnam. The delegation also had the opportunity to experience the depth of Chinese history and culture at the Nanyue Wang Museum; witness the urbanization of China at the Guangzhou TV Tower and the Zhujiang River...

On this occasion, the delegation also visited the 135th China Import and Export Fair, learning about the outstanding economic and trade cooperation achievements of enterprises of the two countries under the framework of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. In Dongguan city, the delegation continued to visit high-tech enterprises and typical enterprises in China-Vietnam cooperation, thereby feeling the development of China, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as the economic development cooperation opportunities that China brings to countries in the region.

The program with rich and practical content has brought me many profound experiences, witnessing firsthand the youthfulness and friendly connection between the youth of Vietnam and China.

-In your opinion, what should the media of the two countries do, specifically what activities to promote people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and China, especially during the Vietnam-China Humanitarian Exchange Year 2025?

First of all, the media needs to play an important role as a bridge and focal point in the cultural exchange activities between China and Vietnam. The media can convey stories and values ​​in different cultural contexts between the two countries through various forms such as news, documentaries, entertainment programs, etc., helping audiences break down cultural barriers.

From classic TV series such as “Journey to the West” and “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” in the past to current documentary programs, Vietnamese audiences have had the opportunity to better understand contemporary Chinese culture and life. Conversely, in China, some entertainment phenomena in Vietnam have also been interested and welcomed by young Chinese people. Chinese people are also trying to learn about the development and changes in Vietnamese society today.

Next, the media needs to continue to proactively promote its role as a bridge by organizing many interview activities, reporting and cooperating in content production, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the two countries. Over the past many years, China Central Radio and Television has repeatedly worked with Vietnamese media agencies such as VTV, VOV, News Agency, Thoi Dai Magazine, etc. to conduct joint interview programs between reporters of the two countries in many localities of China such as Beijing, Guangdong, Chongqing, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Hubei, Guangxi, Hainan, etc. to introduce modern China to Vietnamese audiences. At the same time, we also coordinate with Vietnamese agencies and departments such as the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Academy of Journalism and Communication, the Vietnam Olympic Committee, etc. to carry out many press exchange and cooperation activities, contributing to promoting humanistic exchanges between the two countries in many forms.

In cultural exchange, the media not only plays the role of a cultural message transmitter but also a cultural creator. Therefore, the media must shoulder social responsibility in promoting mutual understanding, spreading cultural values, and promoting integration and innovation. We will also join hands with all sectors in Vietnam to organize many rich and unique cultural exchange activities to promote the building of a "Vietnam-China Community of Shared Future" of strategic significance.

- In your opinion, what solutions are needed to make people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and China truly in-depth, practical and effective?

I believe that in order for the cultural exchange activities between China and Vietnam to truly go into depth, be practical and effective, it is necessary to first strengthen the implementation of common awareness of cooperation at high levels.

Second, it is necessary to maintain the “heat” of people-to-people exchange activities, revolving around many fields, and expanding the implementation of exchanges. While promoting activities organized in the border areas of the two countries, it is necessary to build a comprehensive cooperation strategy at the central level.

Third, it is necessary to take advantage of cultural exchange activities to exploit and spread many stories about friendship, while promoting propaganda work to deepen and renew the friendship between the people of the two countries.

Thank you very much!

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/can-duy-tri-do-nong-giao-luu-nhan-dan-viet-nam-trung-quoc-212423.html