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Speaking at Tsinghua University, General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm said education, science and technology, innovation and youth are key drivers for elevating Vietnam–China relations to a new level. On the afternoon of April 14, during the state visit to China from April 14–17, he attended and delivered a speech at the Vietnam–China Forum on Educational Cooperation, Science–Technology and Innovation, organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education in cooperation with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training.
Tô Lâm praised Tsinghua University as one of the world’s leading centers for education, research and innovation, particularly in science, engineering, digital technology and artificial intelligence. He said Tsinghua’s core value lies not only in training quality, but also in the spirit of pursuing excellence, systemic thinking, and a desire to contribute to society.
He also highlighted the long history of Vietnam–China ties, shaped by geography, culture and tradition. In Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and nation-building, China is described as a special historical space linked to Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities and the development of the Vietnamese Revolution. Tô Lâm referred to places in China such as Guangzhou and Guangxi—described as “red addresses”—as symbols of traditional friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples.
Recalling January 18, 1950, when China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Tô Lâm said the milestone opened a new chapter in bilateral relations and provided strong encouragement for the Vietnamese people’s cause.
He noted that in recent years Vietnam–China relations have achieved important, comprehensive and substantive results. A key development, he said, was the December 2023 visit by Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping to Vietnam, which led to a decision to elevate the relationship and build a Vietnam–China Community of Shared Future with strategic significance.
Tô Lâm said Vietnam views developing ties with China as an objective requirement, strategic choice and top priority in its independent foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification. He linked this to the fundamental, long-term interests of both countries and the wishes of their peoples.
He cited growing political trust and deeper cooperation, including a milestone: for the first time, the two countries held a 3–3 level Dialogue among Foreign, Defense and Public Security Ministers, reflecting a higher level of strategic connectivity among key agencies.
On the economic front, Tô Lâm said Vietnam is currently China’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. He emphasized that the relationship is moving beyond traditional trade toward connecting supply chains, infrastructure, technology and human resources, creating new and more sustainable areas of cooperation.
Tô Lâm said Vietnam is entering a new development phase with two strategic goals by 2030 and 2045. To achieve these goals, he said Vietnam identifies science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main development drivers.
He stressed that education and the development of high-quality human resources are top priorities. He said that to develop quickly and sustainably in the 21st century, Vietnam must follow knowledge, science, technology and people.
Tô Lâm said Vietnam attaches importance to sending young people abroad to study and research at leading knowledge centers, including in China. He described this as a journey outward to learn, connect and return to contribute to the country.
In this context, he said Tsinghua University serves as a model for linking education and scientific research with national development strategy. He pointed to the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence School in 2024, aimed at training top AI talents, calling it a valuable experience for Vietnam.
He also said educational cooperation between Vietnam and China has advanced in recent years, with many Vietnamese universities signing agreements with Tsinghua University to expand cooperation in AI, semiconductors, science–technology and the training of high-quality human resources. Tô Lâm said that currently about 25,000 Vietnamese students are studying in China.
He added that each student is a bridge of friendship, helping deepen mutual understanding and the bond between the two peoples.
From the forum, Tô Lâm urged both sides to strengthen the political–social foundation of the bilateral relationship and to promote substantive cooperation, using strategic connectivity and tangible results as benchmarks. He said science–technology, innovation and digital transformation should become new pillars of Vietnam–China relations.
He emphasized the role of the younger generation in inheriting and developing the friendship between the two countries, describing youth as the vanguard in shaping the future and writing a new chapter of Vietnam–China relations in the 21st century.
On this occasion, Tô Lâm signed the guestbook to express admiration for the dedication of teachers and the studiousness of students in creating a high-quality and effective educational environment. He also expressed admiration for Thanh Hoa’s motto “self-reliance with virtue,” a value shared by the people of Vietnam and China.
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