President's article draws high praise

Vietnamese scholars and experts have high praise for President Xi Jinping's article "For a New Vista in China-Vietnam Friendship," published on Thursday in Vietnam's Nhan Dan newspaper. The publication preceded Xi's state visit to Vietnam, where he will also attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang.

In the article, Xi reviewed the China-Vietnam friendship "forged with blood" by the older generation of leaders and the two peoples, and he called on both sides to make greater efforts to promote bilateral ties.

"It is a nice surprise that before his visit, President Xi sent messages to the Vietnamese public via such a friendly channel," said Tran Viet Thai, deputy general director of the Institute for Foreign Strategic Studies at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.

Bui Tri Dung, editor at Vietnam's Investment newspaper, told Xinhua: "His words recalled unforgettable memories when we two peoples stood side by side as comrades, supporting each other in our fight for liberty and independence. That is really touching."

Luu Bich Ho, former director of the Institute of Development Strategy under the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, also said that he was impressed by Xi's article.

Xi expressed the hope that the two countries jointly create a new vista in China-Vietnam relations. "These words are remarkable," Ho said on Thursday afternoon.

Ho said the vista is being driven by three factors:

Vietnam and China are both entering new periods of pursuing development, reform and innovation;

China and Vietnam are making great efforts to lift cooperation to a higher level that will bring more practical benefits for both peoples;

Given the changing global context, cooperation is crucial to ensure stability and development for Vietnam and China, but also for the region and the world.

Do Tien Sam, former director of the Institute of Chinese Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said he strongly agreed with Xi's thoughts on deepening cooperation and fostering new prospects for "our interconnected interests".

Sam said Vietnam and China have huge potential to work together on this aspect as both are members of several multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as APEC and China-ASEAN cooperation frameworks.

Xinhua

(China Daily 11/11/2017 page2)