by sportswriters Zhang Feng and Cao Yiming
NANNING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- When 12-year-old Fu Junxi, who achieved the best historical performance by a Chinese competitor at the 2025 Juste Debout World Street Dance Finals in Paris, stood on the stage at the Friendship Pass in Pingxiang, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, street dance athletes from China and Vietnam erupted in warm applause.
The 2025 China-Vietnam Youth Street Dance Cultural Exchange Festival, recently held in Pingxiang near the China-Vietnam border, not only provided the street dancers with an excellent opportunity for competition but also offered them a stage to share and foster friendship.
During the event, the impressive dance skills and vibrant enthusiasm of the youth dancers from China and Vietnam captivated the audience. The Chinese dancers showcased performances such as "Panda Hero," characterized by crisp and agile moves that seamlessly combined technique and strength. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese dancers impressed with their routines like "Fragrant Breeze," blending traditional Vietnamese attire with modern street dance.
"Vietnamese street dances are marked by soft and wave-like moves, lively music rhythms, and tropical styles. There are many things worth learning," Fu said.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam, as well as the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchange. In recent years, various folk sports events have become important platforms for the people of both countries to deepen friendship.
The first China-Vietnam Friendship Fishing Competition was held along the picturesque Ping'er River in Pingxiang last month. One hundred fishing enthusiasts from both countries participated in the event, showcasing their skills and enhancing friendship.
After the event, a Vietnamese angler extended a handshake to a nearby Chinese competitor, stating, "The two countries are separated by just a river. We share common topics in fishing, and this competition has brought us closer together."
In sports exchanges between China and Vietnam, football has always held a significant position. The 30th Dongxing, China -- Mong Cai, Vietnam Lantern Festival Friendship Football Match was held during this year's Lantern Festival.
The two cities have a long history of cross-border sports exchanges. For the people of both regions, watching an exciting cross-border football friendly match during the Lantern Festival has long been regarded as a "fixed program."
Shi Linli, director of the Sports Management Center of Dongxing City, noted that in recent years, the concept of "rivals on the field, friends off the field" has deeply resonated among the players from both sides.
Cross-border events are more than just competitions; they are a means to foster friendships. Taekwondo, boxing, Chinese chess, volleyball, and martial arts are among the diverse sporting exchanges that continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the people of China and Vietnam. ■
