​January 18, 1950 was the day of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China. 70 years of historical development of Vietnam-China relations, affirming the friendly relations established by President Ho Chi Minh, Chairman Mao Zedong and previous leaders of the two countries. This tradition needs to be inherited and preserved.

Vietnam and China are close neighbors countries and have a long traditional partnership. This relationship has been cultivated by leaders and people of the two countries. Over the past 70 years, the relationship between the two countries has experienced ups and downs, but friendly cooperation is still the only right choice which is important for the development of each country. Developing friendly and cooperative relations with China is one of the top priorities in Vietnam's diplomacy.

Some highlights of Vietnam-China relations in recent years:

In 2018, the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership. Besides, both countries maintained positive development momentum, the two sides maintained high-level meetings and contacts. The two-way trade between Vietnam and China is expected to reach US $ 150 billion (according to statistics of Chinese Customs). For three consecutive years, Vietnam is China's largest trading partner in ASEAN and China's eighth largest trading partner worldwide. In 2018, China became the seventh largest foreign investor in Vietnam. In 2019, the positive development momentum in Vietnam-China relations continues to be maintained, bringing the comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam and China to develop stably for the benefits of the peoples of the two countries, contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.

Dong Nai Province has had friendly and cooperative relations with Chinese localities officially starting from 1995 when Dong Nai and Jiangsu province signed International Agreements on establishing friendship and cooperation (signed on April 10, 1995 in Dong Nai Province) and agreement on strengthening exchanges and cooperation (signed on April 27, 2010 in Nanjing, China). In 2010, Dong Nai province continued to develop relationships with Ningbo city, Zhejiang province. In the field of education: Dong Nai University and Guangxi Normal University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen international training cooperation in 2014. In the economic field, China and Taiwan (China) are one of the countries and territories with the largest investment capital in Dong Nai province, with 366 projects and a total investment capital of over 6.2 billions USD, the Taiwan (China) alone: 273 projects with over 4.7 billions USD, along with over 2,300 experts and workers of Chinese and Taiwanese nationalities (China) working in Dong Nai. These contributions have played an important role in the socio-economic development, maintaining and promoting the cooperative relationship between the government and people of Dong Nai province and the government and people of China. Dong Nai is a province with a large number of Chinese people living (with over 23,000 households and over 123,000 people). Chinese people in the province have made a certain contribution to the socio-economic and cultural development of the province.

On March 9, 2018, Dong Nai province solemnly held the first congress of the Vietnam - China Friendship Association, the event marking a new development step in the solidarity and friendship relationship between the people of Dong Nai province with the people of China. The congress had the participation of Mr. Tran Duc Hai, Chinese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. In his speech, he expressed his belief that "The newly established Vietnam-China Friendship Association of Dong Nai province will promote people-to-people diplomacy to enhance friendly and cooperative relations between Dong Nai province and Chinese provinces”.

After nearly two years of establishment and operation, the provincal Vietnam-China Friendship Association overcame difficulties to find the right direction and bring the Association's activities into depth. Construction and development of affiliated sub-associations and member development are concerned. The Association has established two affiliated sub-association (the branch at Lac Hong University and the branch at Texhong Nhon Trach Textile Company) as well as promoting the establishment of a branch in the Chinese community in Bien Hoa city. Up to now, the total member of the association is 325 going up to 184 compared to the time of the Congress.

The association has always focused on grassroots activities. Thereby, the Lac Hong University Friendship Association has implemented many activities: Organizing business visits and job interviews at the Sichuan Trade Association in Binh Duong; Organizing the Chinese Speech Competition in 2019, participating the 18th Chinese Speech Competition for Southern Students in 2019, winning 2 third prize; mobilizing Chinese companies to provide 160 million VND of scholarships for 7 students who are association’s members Studying in China. The Executive Committee of the Association has not only worked with Chinese Businesses to organize the cultural and sport exchange for members, but also collaborated with the Board of Directors of the Ancient Temple - Ong Pagoda to greet the Taipei people's delegations visited and exchanged culture at Ong Pagoda Festival for 2 years.

Besides, the Executive Committee of the Association sent members to participate in friendship activities between Vietnam and China organized by the Chinese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam - China Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City. Attending the trade conference between Vietnamese enterprises and Taiwanese enterprises organized by the provincial People's Committee; attending the 25-year anniversary of Vietnam - China Friendship Association in Can Tho province; associating with the provincal Vietnamese Fatherland Front greet and work with 02 political delegations of Chongzuo City, Guangxi Province and Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China.

These activities have contributed to strengthening the relationship between the people of Vietnam and China in Dong Nai province.

Tran Mai