| Vietnam and China are joined by common mountains and rivers with a long history of diplomacy. Thus, regarding the time period division, we mainly consider the premise of historical relation and similarities between the two countries. On the base of the existing periods of Vietnamese domestic political system as well as ideological change, this paper generally divide Vietnam's views of China into four stages, namely the feudal period (before the year 1858), French colonial period (from 1858 to 1945), Anti-French and Anti-American war period (1945-1975) and post reunion period (1975 year so far).Due to a long-term communication and unequal position in the feudal period, Vietnam's views of China at this time was gradually created on Chinese culture, feudalism, historical notables, local customs and practices and some other key factors. This is a result from the input of Chinese traditional culture including Confucianism, the influence of some Chinese self-cognitive concepts as "Tian Chao" (an honography word for court in ancient time, which Chinese feudal dynasties call themselves to foreign countries) or "Center" and what old Vietnamese diplomats saw and heard on the way they visit China. The characteristics of Vietnamese culture was obvious at this stage. They followed China's example and admitted Chinese feudal dynasties as the center of the world.In the time of French colonization, because of the popularization and use of script and books in all the walks of life as well as the influx of Western ideas into Vietnam, Vietnam's views of China appeared to be diverse and complex. During this period, China is still worth it to rely on. This dependence came from the hope to receive constant military aids from the Qing Dynasty (China) and to maintain the political system, imperial examinations, education and other traditional Chinese patterns to the maximum extent in order to restrict the spread of French culture of the Nguyen dynasty rulers (Vietnam). Although this is the time when China was being under recession and backward, the Chinese national spirit caused great importance from Vietnamese intellectuals and became their important driving force in knowledge reforms and revolutionary movements afterward.In the time of fighting against the French and the American, both Vietnam and China underwent a great change. Vietnam got a large amount of aid from selfless China. The phrase of "comrades and brothers" then became a vivid portrayal describing the relations between two countries. A strong, smart image of a great power which has been quickly leaving its mark on the globe was developed in front of Vietnam. China became an example for Vietnam to modle on in establishing a new socialist country. Even in the late 1960s when the contradictions between two countries emerged, this image had not yet experienced large change.Over the next ten years time since 1975, due to persistent contradictions and conflicts, the relationship between Vietnam and China was deteriorating, affecting China's image and status in Vietnam. As the normalization of relations between the two countries in 1991, especially in a present society with more convenient information communication, China's rise has been recognized by the whole world so that they played an important role in resolving international affairs. A large number of their achievement has become the model for Vietnam to study from.An overview throughout historical periods reveals that Vietnam has been influenced by China in geography, politics, economy and culture. Its cognition of China has been always with complexities and conflicts. At the same time, under the international set-up changes, the degree of political mutual trust, increasingly close cultural exchanges, news and media public opinion, etc., Vietnam's views of China have also been constantly developing to the direction of the rationality and diversification.Although there are still some obstacles and problems existing between Vietnam and China, the reasoning of mutual acceptance, peaceful coexistence to meet the common desire and to form a right and objective mutual understanding of the people of the two countries in order to achieve win-win development still play a significant motivating role. As Xi Jinping chairman pointed out in his speech to Vietnam Congress: "The Chinese and Vietnamese 'drink water in a same river, seeing each other from dawn till dusk', offering mutual help since ancient times, sharing the comradeship in defending foreign enemies and now revitalizing prosperous undertaking. The traditional friendship between people of two countries which has been tested through historical time and international changes is an inexhaustible power to convince the development of their bilateral relations." We firmly believe that with the one-step-futher in connection between Vietnam and China and their people, the concept of mutual respect and understanding would be built to promote the friendship between the two countries. |
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