The Vietnamese Ambassador to China, Nguyen Van Tho stated this at a ceremony hosted by the embassy in Beijing on January 18 to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties (January 18).

The Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress, Han Qide, joined more than 500 local officials and representatives from the diplomatic corps in the capital city of Beijing and the China-Vietnam Friendship Association at the event.

Mr Tho said that the traditional Vietnam-China friendship has developed constantly over the past six decades, despite a range of challenges and difficulties. Generations of people from both nations have preserved and expanded the bilateral relationship which were nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Mao Zedong and other former leaders, he noted.

Based on the motto of “Friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability and looking towards the future”, and the “four-good” spirit “Good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners,” Vietnam-China relations have continued to grow and flourish in all fields, such as politics, economics, culture, education, training, security and national defence, the ambassador added.

*** The Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, Sun Quoqiang held a banquet on January 18 to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations.

On addressing the event, the ambassador said that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Vietnam are ushering in a new phase of development.

Political relations between the two countries have become closer, economic and trade co-operation has become more diversified and cultural exchanges further enhanced. Lingering issues from history have been addressed step by step and the two countries are working together closely in international and regional arenas, he added.

According to the ambassador, 2010 will be a significant year for both nations as it not only marks the 60^th founding anniversary of bilateral relations but it is also identified by the leaders of both countries as the first “China-Vietnam Friendship Year.”
Various activities will be held in both countries to bolster mutual understanding and friendship between their people, the ambassador said.

Deputy PM Nguyen Sinh Hung said the Party, State and people of Vietnam are always grateful to the Chinese people for their support to Vietnam in its past struggle for national independence and its current process of national construction.

Later the same day, Ho Chi Minh City also hosted a meeting to mark the event.

*** A secretary from the Party Central Committee has urged the Vietnamese and Chinese people to strengthen ties so they can fulfill their agreements for the 2010-2011 period.

Ha Thi Khiet, who is also head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation made the recommendation in Hanoi on January 18, while receiving a Chinese youth delegation.

The group, led by Wang Hong Yan, Secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee, is on a visit to Vietnam to attend the Vietnam-China Youth Friendship meeting.

At the meeting, Mrs Khiet thanked the delegation for visiting the country to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and China.

For his part, Wang Hong Yan expressed pleasure at attending the event held by HCYU, pledging that the CYLC will try its best to work with its Vietnamese counterpart in bolstering cooperation and mutual support to tighten Vietnam-China relations.