To Lam: Vietnam China cooperation to further strengthen in technology, education

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam delivers a policy speech at a forum held at Tsinghua University in China on Tuesday/ File: VNA/VIET NAM NEWS

According to Asian Work Network, General Secretary of the Communist Party and State President To Lam has expressed hope that cooperation between Vietnam and China will continue to deepen in trade, investment, knowledge exchange, technology, innovation, and future-shaping capabilities.

He made the remarks during a political address at a forum held at Tsinghua University in Beijing, as part of his visit to China, which is scheduled to last until Friday.

The Vietnam - China Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation Forum was jointly organized by the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training. In his speech, To Lam noted that Tsinghua University has educated many close friends of the Vietnamese people, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese officials. He emphasized that Vietnam and China are neighboring countries with long-standing relations that have developed over thousands of years of exchanges, and are strengthened by shared aspirations for peace, stability, and development.

The Vietnamese leader expressed satisfaction with growing cooperation between Vietnamese educational and research institutions and Tsinghua University, particularly in priority areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, science and technology, and high-quality workforce training.

He noted that around 25,000 Vietnamese students are currently studying in China, reflecting the deepening educational exchanges between the two countries.

He called for further strengthening the political and social foundations of bilateral relations, stressing that stable, healthy, and sustainable development must be built on political trust, mutual respect, and understanding, as well as the shared determination of successive generations of leaders in both countries.

He added that friendship should be passed down from generation to generation and cultivated among people, especially the younger generation.

Alongside high-level exchanges between ministries, sectors, and localities, he emphasized the need to place greater focus on people-to-people exchanges, youth exchanges, academic cooperation, and collaboration in culture, education, and tourism, so that every citizen and young person feels responsible for preserving and strengthening Vietnam - China friendship. He called for more substantial and results-oriented cooperation based on strategic connectivity and the interests of both peoples. According to him, science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation should become new pillars of bilateral relations in the coming years.

He stated that Vietnam is entering a new stage of development, with science, technology, and innovation identified as key driving forces for achieving strategic goals by 2030 and 2045. The country attaches great importance to cooperation with China in areas of mutual strength, including artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, semiconductors, automation, robotics, green technology, biotechnology, new materials, clean energy, and other strategic industries.

In this context, education and training especially the development of skilled human resources must be a top priority, he said. He added that Vietnam hopes more Vietnamese students, researchers, and young scientists will study and conduct research at leading Chinese institutions, including Tsinghua University.

The Vietnamese leader also called for expanded cooperation between Tsinghua University and Vietnamese universities and research institutes, including student and academic exchanges, joint training programs, joint research, co-supervision programs, and the establishment of joint research groups and laboratories in key fields.

He stressed the importance of strengthening youth exchanges so that young people can become both heirs of traditional friendship and pioneers in shaping the future, working together to address key development challenges in areas such as education, healthcare, environment, energy, smart cities, green agriculture, and the digital economy.

He concluded by expressing confidence that Vietnam - China relations will continue to develop in a stable, healthy, and sustainable manner, built on a legacy of friendship, mutual trust, and progress in science, technology, and innovation ultimately bringing tangible benefits to both peoples and contributing to regional and global peace and development.