Organized by the CPAFFC, China-Vietnam Friendship Association, Vietnam-China Friendship Association and Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Sixth Meeting of China-Vietnam People’s Forum was held in Nanning of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 1-3 December 2014. Chinese and Vietnam delegates from political, economic, academic and media sectors who have long engaged in promoting China-Vietnam relations attended the meeting.  The Chinese delegation was headed by H.E. Mr. Qi Jianguo, Vice President of China-Vietnam Friendship Association and former Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam. The Vietnam delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Pham Van Chuong, Vice President of VUFO and Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation.

The theme of the Sixth Meeting of China-Vietnam People’s Forum is “Safeguarding Traditional Friendship and Promote Pragmatic Cooperation”. Delegates from China and Vietnam held candid and in-depth discussions on present China-Vietnam relationship and raised proposals for future development. 

The two sides agreed on the following: (1) China-Vietnam friendship has a solid foundation, meticulously fostered by past state leaders including Chairman Mao Zedong and Chairman Ho Chi Minh, carried forward by present state leaders, and supported by the majority of people in China and Vietnam. The two sides should spare more efforts through people-to-people channels for carrying on the China-Vietnam friendship generation by generation. (2) China and Vietnam are neighboring socialist countries, considering the development of the other as opportunity of its own development. Under the circumstances of economic globalization and region integration, China and Vietnam should stick to the principle of “long-term stability, future orientation, good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation”, the spirit of “good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners” and the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.  On this basis, pragmatic cooperation in various fields should be promoted for pushing bilateral relations to a new high. (3) Sea-related disputes are existing difficulties in China-Vietnam relations. The two sides should make good use of existing negotiation mechanism, earnestly implement consensus by two state leaders as well as agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of China-Vietnam sea-related issues and relevant international law, appropriately handle sea-related disputes, in a bid to make more contributions to healthy development of bilateral relations as well as peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Vice President Feng Zuoku of CPAFFC, Vice Governor Zhang Xiaoqin of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vice Mayor Tao Lijian of Guilin respectively met with Chinese and Vietnamese delegates, who also visited Nanxishan Hospital (founded in 1960s in support for Vietnam’s anti-America war) and Memorial Hall of Vietnam School (combination of Vietnamese schools moved to China during 1950s-1970s) in Guangxi Normal University in Guilin.