On the afternoon of December 9, at the Vietnamese Embassy (Beijing, China), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with Chinese veterans and experts who helped Vietnam in the struggles for national independence and reunification.
According to the Government Newspaper, expressing his emotion when having the opportunity to meet with Chinese veterans and experts, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that during the extremely difficult but glorious years when the two countries and peoples fought side by side against foreign invaders, veterans and experts contributed their efforts, youth and even blood, joining hands to make the great victory of the Vietnamese Revolution.
"Comrades, you have directly witnessed and contributed to building the "close Vietnam - China relationship, both as comrades and brothers". On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to send to you, comrades, my most sincere greetings, gratitude and respect" - the Deputy Prime Minister shared.
In the arduous struggle against the most powerful colonial and imperialist forces in the world, Vietnam received great assistance from socialist brother countries and international friends, including China. The Party, Government, Army and people of China not only supported Vietnam politically but also provided great support in terms of weapons, equipment, logistics, technology and especially human support, including nearly 1,700 Chinese soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives while helping Vietnam in the two resistance wars against France and the US, which is the clearest evidence of the blood bond between the two Parties, two countries and two armies.
Citing President Ho Chi Minh's editorial "Congratulate China, thank China, learn from China", Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son said this is a very vivid summary of Vietnam's deep friendship with China and remains valuable today.
With the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source", the Party, State, people and the Vietnam People's Army always remember and are grateful for the great and effective support and assistance of the Party, Government, Army and people of China during the years of fighting for national independence as well as in the cause of building socialism and developing the country.
The Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam are actively implementing the upgrading, embellishment and restoration of Chinese martyrs' cemeteries to help the Vietnamese Revolution on this occasion. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, these are practical actions, demonstrating the fine tradition of "Remembering the person who planted the tree when eating the fruit" of the Vietnamese people or as General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping said "Never forget the beginning".
"Meeting comrades who have sacrificed their youth, put aside family matters, and overcome all difficulties to help the Vietnamese revolution, our emotions cannot be expressed in words. We would like to express our gratitude to you from the bottom of our hearts and wish you good health, always follow and continue to contribute to the good traditional friendship between the two Parties, two countries, two armies, towards the Vietnam - China Community of Shared Future of strategic significance, for peace, stability, cooperation and development of each country, the region and the world" - Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son respectfully expressed.
