Initiative can improve ties with Vietnam

Cooperation, not hatred, must set bilateral agenda

This year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting that was held in Da Nang, Vietnam, in November to boost regional economic growth facilitated the exchange of visits between the leaders of China and Vietnam within one year. The first such exchange of visits since 2015 highlight the importance of China-Vietnam relations, which have seen steady growth despite the occasional hiccups.

The Belt and Road Initiative will not only help meet Vietnam's demand for industrial modernization, but also help improve the relationship between the neighbors. Vietnam that boasts a long coastline will especially benefit from the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which together with the Silk Road Economic Belt forms the Belt and Road Initiative.

China and Vietnam, both governed by communist parties, share a long history of friendly exchanges. Besides, China has been Vietnam's biggest trading partner for 13 years, and the huge investments by Chinese enterprises in Vietnam have boosted Vietnam's infrastructure projects and economic growth. So the two sides should let their cooperation set the course of their future relationship, instead of allowing the 1979 war to spread mutual hatred among their peoples.