The Ambassador spoke highly of this year’s importance as China and Vietnam celebrate their 60^th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The two countries’ leaders agreed to hold numerous activities this year marking the event, including a trip to Vietnam by Chinese officials who studied and worked with the late President Ho Chi Minh, noted Mr Sun.

“We have hundreds of reasons for developing the bilateral relations. And there is no reason for damaging them,” stressed the Ambassador while reviewing bilateral relations over the past 60 years.

The dioplomat mentioned three major foundations to develop the relations: mutual respect and understanding, equality and mutual benefit and an emphasis on common goals.

He said mutual cooperation has brought about practical results. In 2009, Vietnam and China exchanged 267 delegations, of which 108 were at deputy ministerial level or higher. Two-way trade turnover grew despite the global economic crisis, hitting nearly US$20 billion in the January-November period last year.

He also confirmed that China will not let the East Sea issue affect the friendly and cooperative ties between the two countries.

The Chinese diplomat congratulated Vietnam on taking over the chair of ASEAN this year and expressed his belief that Vietnam will fulfill this task.