At 2:00 p.m. on October 23, 2026, Professor Li Guanghui, Dean of the China-ASEAN School of Economics at Guangxi University, led a delegation to the Institute for Asia-Pacific Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). The two sides held discussions on establishing a long-term and stable partnership, promoting substantive joint research, and strengthening academic and personnel exchanges. The visit took place against the backdrop of the continued deepening of the China–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and efforts to build a China–Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, following General Secretary Xi Jinping's visit to Vietnam in April 2025 and General Secretary To Lam's visit to China in April 2026. It also came amid the continued implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and accelerated efforts to upgrade the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area to version 3.0. The meeting represented a practical step toward strengthening cooperation between the two institutions in China - Vietnam economic and trade studies, regional connectivity research, and think tank exchanges.

The meeting in progress

The Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) is a national-level social science research institution under the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, operating under the direct and regular leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat. As a ministerial-level institution, it serves as a leading strategic research center in the social sciences, providing scientific foundations and policy advice for the formulation of national development strategies and policies. It plays an important role in Vietnam's policymaking process. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Cuong, Director of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (IAPS), warmly welcomed Dean Li Guanghui and his delegation. Introducing the Institute, he noted that it currently has 85 staff members and comprises six research centers specializing in China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other areas. The Center for Chinese Studies serves as an important platform for China-related research within VASS. Dr. Nguyen emphasized that both VASS and IAPS attach great importance to China studies, particularly China's reform and opening-up process and its development practices. Against the backdrop of deepening bilateral relations, he called for stronger cooperation on China-related research, including closer engagement with Guangxi, so that think tank research can better support the development of both countries and regional cooperation.

Dr. Huang Huiying, Director of the Center for Chinese Studies, proposed that the two sides identify concrete and feasible projects under a cooperation memorandum and conduct joint research on issues of shared interest. She suggested organizing reciprocal research visits, facilitating field research in Vietnam for students, and holding online seminars on key topics. She also emphasized the importance of identifying issues related to China–Vietnam cooperation within China's upcoming major policy agenda and planning research collaboration in advance.

Dr. Zhang Guanghuan, Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation into emerging fields. He suggested prioritizing joint research on industrial development and cross-border cooperation at border ports, with a focus on industrial chain connectivity and the integration of border economies between China and Vietnam, to generate research findings with practical policy relevance.

In his remarks, Dean Li Guanghui first outlined the purpose of the visit, expressing his hope to establish a long-term and stable partnership with the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, transforming one-time exchanges into a sustainable cooperation mechanism. He briefly introduced the talent cultivation programs and ASEAN-oriented research platforms of the China-ASEAN School of Economics at Guangxi University, noting that the School's longstanding commitment to China–ASEAN economic and trade cooperation research provides a solid foundation for joint research with Vietnamese think tanks. Regarding specific areas and forms of cooperation, Dean Li proposed a multifaceted approach encompassing student study visits, faculty exchanges, collaborative research projects, and jointly organized academic forums. He emphasized the importance of diversifying both the content and forms of cooperation. Against the backdrop of digital and intelligent transformation, he suggested developing joint research projects on topics such as "Pathways and Models for China–Vietnam Cross-Border Transport and Regional Connectivity Cooperation in the Context of Digital and Intelligent Transformation" to enhance the focus and sustainability of bilateral cooperation.

Professor Jin Dan of the China-ASEAN School of Economics at Guangxi University suggested advancing cooperation between the two institutions through collaborative research projects, jointly organized international forums, and student exchanges. These initiatives would help gradually establish stable and sustainable platforms for institutional cooperation.

During the discussion session, participants exchanged views on ways to further strengthen cooperation between the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the China-ASEAN School of Economics at Guangxi University. They reached several points of consensus on key issues concerning China–Vietnam economic and trade cooperation and cross-border research. Both sides agreed to focus on the digital and intelligent transformation of cross-border transport, customs clearance facilitation at border ports, and industrial and supply chain coordination. They emphasized the importance of combining joint research with field investigations to ensure that think tank cooperation contributes meaningfully to improving the quality of China–Vietnam economic and trade cooperation. The two sides also discussed faculty exchanges, visiting appointments, and opportunities for doctoral students to study at Guangxi University.

Representatives from the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies included Director Nguyen Xuan Cuong; Huang Huiying, Director of the Center for Chinese Studies; Zhang Guanghuan, Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies; Deng Shicuihe, Deputy Director of the Center for Chinese Studies; and other researchers. The delegation from the China-ASEAN School of Economics at Guangxi University included Professor Li Guanghui, Dean of the School; Professor Jin Dan; Assistant Professor Gong Runze; and Ms. Pham Thi Quynh Huong.

The meeting provided a concrete opportunity for the two institutions to deepen think tank cooperation within the frameworks of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0. Guided by efforts to build a China–Vietnam community with a shared future, and drawing on Guangxi's strategic position as a gateway to ASEAN, the partnership is expected to make sustained intellectual contributions to China–Vietnam economic and trade research, regional connectivity, and the advancement of the China–Vietnam community with a shared future.

Group Photo of Representatives from Both Institutions

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Source:Gong Runze

Translated byAI

Proofread byYu Na, Fan Shi Qiongxiang

Edited byWei Jiali

Reviewed byGong Zheng

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