 Professor Hua Liping, Director of the Southeast Asia Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (Photo: VOV) |
In an interview with VOV on Saturday, Professor Hua Liping said: "Studying ASEAN issues for many years, I was very sad by the news of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's passing. I consider him a great revolutionary, strategist, and thinker. He not only played a crucial role in Vietnam's renewal but also made significant contributions to China-Vietnam relations. Therefore, as scholars researching ASEAN issues, including Vietnam, we deeply mourn his passing. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has left a profound political legacy for Vietnam and the international community."
Professor Hua Liping believes that the awarding of the Gold Star Order, the highest distinction of the Party and State of Vietnam, to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, recognizes his outstanding contributions to the theoretical innovation of Party building, governance, and society, the socialist-oriented market economy, and the development of culture. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's people-centered approach, focusing on the needs and interests of the people, was practical and suited to Vietnam's conditions and development, said the Chinese Professor.
Regarding Vietnam-China relations, Professor Hua Liping noted that as the top leaders of their respective Parties and countries, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary Xi Jinping have strengthened party-to-party exchanges, increased political trust, and laid a solid foundation for cooperation between the two countries and their peoples. This has promoted stable and healthy development in Vietnam-China relations.
He said: "General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary Xi Jinping have personally set an example, steering the relationship between the two Parties and countries, and consolidating the direction of the bilateral relationship. This has played a crucial role guiding the strategic cooperative partnership and the Vietnam-China community of shared future."