(VNF) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping and Poliburo Member, Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on November 12 attended the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam – China Friendship Palace.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, General Secretary of CPC, President Xi Jinping attends the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam – China Friendship Palace in Hanoi on November 12. (photo: VN Express)

The Palace is one among the largest projects in the friendly cooperation category of two countries in recent years. It has received immense attention from the two Parties and States throughout the construction process.

The inauguration of the Vietnam – China Friendship Palace and the Chinese Culture Palace is the first activity of CPC General Secretary, President Xi Jinping during his two-day official visit to Hanoi, starting on November 12.

The visit also marks the first overseas trip of President Xi since the 19th National Congress of CPC.

Besides the presence of President Xi and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the ceremony was attended by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong, and leaders of various sectors, departments, ministers.

The event also brought together a large number of Chinese and Vietnamese scholars, businesses and students .

General Secretary of CPC, President Xi Jinping hands over the symbolic key to NA Chair Woman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. (Photo: Nguyen Quang Viet)

As part of the inauguration ceremony, President Xi Jinping handed over the symbolic key to the Vietnamese NA Chairwoman.

After the ceremony, President Xi and NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with delegates who are participating in the 9th Vietnam – China People's Forum, as well as inpiduals with significant contribution to bilateral ties.

Leaders of the two countries launch the Chinese culture center in hanoi (Photo: Nguyen Quang Viet)

The Vietnam – China Friendship Palace is a joint project representing the friendship between Vietnam and China. The Palace is located at No.188, Le Quang Dao Str., Nam Tu Liem Dist., Ha Noi city.

The 14,000-m² Palace covers an area of 3.3 hectare.

The project of building the Palace was approved by PM Phan Van Khai and PM Wen Jiabao in 2004.

The construction was kick started in March 2015, with total cost of construction is estimated at VND 800 billions, including non-refundable aid from the Chinese Government and the Vietnam government’s corresponding capital.

The execution of the project was jointly carried out by the Chinese Ministry of Trade and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), on behalf of the two Governments.

Vietnam – China Friendship Palace symbolizes the long-standing friendship of two countries (photo: Nguyen Quang Viet)

The Palace is designed with a round shape in the outside and a square in the inside, which replicate the image of a lotus flower.

The round shape symbolizes the harmony, solidarity and fulfillment, expressing the aspiration for peace and friendship of the two countries, while the lotus is the national flower of Vietnam.

The Palace consists of three zones A, B, C. The A zone is located at the central of the Palace. It is an auditorium which includes a stage, backstage, a hall which can accomodate up to 1,500 seats, exhibition room and supporting rooom.

The B zone is located on the west side of the Palace, with a multi-function rooom, conference room, working offices.

The C zone is located on the east side of the Palace, including VIP room, Chinese tea room, Chinese traditional medicines room, reading room and other functional rooms.

From now on, the Palace will be put into operation as a venue hosting people – to – people exchange programmes, arts performances and conferences.

As an ideal platform for dynamic exchange between the peoples of the two countries, the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace is expected to play a significant role in strengthening mutual understanding and maintaining the friendly cooperation between two nations in the time to come.

On the same day, at the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace, Poliburo Member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of Central Commission for Mass Mobilization Truong Thi Mai held a reception for the delegations attending the ongoing 9th Vietnam – China People's Forum held in Hanoi from November 10-14.

The Vietnam – China People’s Forum brings together specialists and scholars from two countries, who have been contributing vastly to the enhancement of bilateral ties in the past years.

The Vietnam – China People’s Forum is considered an active channel for the Vietnamese and Chinese delegates to exchang ideas on issues of common concerns in a constructive way, contributing to strengthening understandings, political trust between two nations, two peoples.

The forum is expected to lay a solid foundation for the two countries to grow together, in alignment with the spirit of the Forum, which is “Increasing trust, Connecting strategies, Developing together.”/.

( Translated by Phi Yen )