Addressing the event, Duong Quan Ha, President of the HCM City Vietnam-China Friendship Association, conveyed his best wishes to the Chinese community living in the city.

He highlighted the mutual benefits of the time-honoured friendship and neighbourliness between the two countries, saying it has advanced both Parties, governments, and peoples.

Regular exchanges of visits at all levels and discussions on issues of mutual concern have helped tighten the bilateral relationship, Ha said.

Economic and trade relations continue to develop, with two-way trade reaching US$40 billion in 2011 and US$22.2 billion in the first half of 2012.

Chinese Consul General to Vietnam Zhai Leiming expressed his belief that bilateral friendship under the motto of “friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and looking toward the future” and in the spirit of “good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners” will be further consolidated in the interests of both peoples.