At the invitation of Beijing, Le Hong Son, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee of Vietnam, led a delegation to visit the city from May 19 to 21.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, as well as the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges. In April, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President, visited Vietnam. The two heads of state agreed to elevate the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation to a higher quality and deeper level, with an endeavor to accelerate the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future from a strategic perspective. Beijing and Hanoi, as the capital cities of the two countries, play a leading and exemplary role in the bilateral regional exchanges. This visit by the Hanoi delegation serves as a key initiative for the two cities to implement the outcomes of the head-of-state diplomacy, pursue higher-level mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen cultural exchanges, and consolidate broader people-to-people ties.
During the Hanoi delegation’s visit to Beijing, they came to the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), embracing the vigor of the times at the Grand Canal, which boasts a history spanning thousands of years. They toured the Zhongguancun Science Park and witnessed the dramatic progress in sci-tech innovation. While travelling through Shougang Park, they appreciated the impressive transformation of the industrial heritage. Over the course of three days and nights, the delegation followed a non-stop schedule packed with activities, gaining a full understanding of Beijing’s practice of Chinese modernization. Le said that, “We extend our sincere gratitude for Beijing’s warm welcome and thoughtful arrangements. Hanoi attaches great importance to its sister-city ties with Beijing. Beijing’s sci-tech innovation, cultural industry, and urban renewal policies offer valuable insights for Hanoi. We hope to seize the opportunity presented by this visit to propel deeper exchanges and cooperation in the relevant fields.”
The Charm of the BMC
BMC’s development achievements, as an exemplification of Beijing’s high-quality development, have attracted extensive attention in recent years. The delegation toured the Beijing Library and other cultural and tourism sites such as the Grand Canal Cultural and Tourism Scenic Area, gaining a more detailed understanding of the planning and development of the BMC, the digital management of Beijing Library, and the operation of the Grand Canal. They spoke highly of the development philosophy and achievements of the BMC and expressed their willingness to learn from relevant projects and apply them in Hanoi.
Exchanges in Sci-Tech Innovation
The delegation toured the exhibition center of the Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone and visited the incubation centers in Dongsheng Building, gaining in-depth understanding of Beijing’s policies in advancing sci-tech innovation and supporting start-up businesses, as well as the operation and management of the incubation centers and sci-tech projects. The delegation noted that Hanoi is also vigorously advancing sci-tech innovation, which means that Beijing’s superior sci-tech innovation ecosystem and relevant policies could provide valuable insights for Hanoi. They expressed a strong interest in enhancing exchanges and cooperation between the two cities in the field of sci-tech innovation.
Thumbs up on Urban Renewal
As an exemplary case of urban renewal and industrial upgrading, Shougang Park left a deep impression on the delegation. At the Shougang No.3 Blast Furnace Museum, the delegation gained detailed insights into the renovation of the park’s industrial heritage, particularly its transformation into a dynamic event venue. At the Shangri-La Hotel (Shougang Park), they discussed and learned about the experience and approaches involved in repurposing the disused factory into a brand-new art-themed hotel. At the Zhongguancun Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center, the delegation visited the Humanoid Robot Data Training Center and witnessed tasks performed by robots in various application scenarios, such as making coffee and organizing items. The delegation members gave their thumbs-up, stating that Shougang Park has effectively leveraged its resources to drive the integrated development of sports, science and technology, tourism, and other industries, thereby transforming the old industrial zone successfully. This offers highly valuable lessons.
Discussions on Cultural Innovation Cooperation
During the visit, the delegation also focused on the development of Beijing’s cultural industry. They toured the Drum Tower, Hong’en Taoist Temple, 77 Cultural and Creative Industry Park, 798 Art District and other places, gaining insights into the conservation and utilization of the Beijing Central Axis, the city’s cultural industry policies, and support measures provided to cultural enterprises. At the Time Museum, delegation members enthusiastically participated in a VR experience themed around the Beijing Central Axis and watched a drum performance. They widely commended the approach of leveraging new quality productive forces in the cultural sector to rejuvenate the historic districts and create innovative cultural consumption experiences, expressing willingness to promptly work with Beijing’s relevant departments to advance bilateral cultural innovation exchanges and cooperation.
