Activities to mark 62 years of Sino-Vietnam diplomatic ties

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations met on January 16 to celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China (January 18, 1950).

At the meeting, Chinese Consul General to HCM City Zhai Leiming said China and Vietnam have constantly strengthened political, trade and economic relations in the interests of the two countries’ people.

Meanwhile, the President of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association Chapter in HCM City, Duong Quan Ha, reviewed the ties of solidarity between the two countries over the past 62 years and stated that both Vietnam and China treasure the traditional friendship as an invaluable asset of both peoples.

Ha described China as Vietnam’s largest trade partner in the last seven years, saying bilateral trade turnover in the first half of 2011 hit more than US$18 billion, a 41 percent increase against the same period of the previous year.

Vietnam respects ties with China: NA Chairman

Vietnam attaches great importance to developing its friendship with China for mutual benefit and for the sake of peace and development in the region and the world.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung emphasised this at a reception for Chinese ambassador to Vietnam Kong Xuanyou in Hanoi on January 16.

Mr Hung said he was pleased with the development of Vietnam-China relations, especially after Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China and State Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam last year. He said he believes that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries will be further enhanced under the motto of “Friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and future-oriented vision” and in the spirit of “Good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, and good partners”.

The chief legislator highly valued Mr Kong’s fine sentiments towards Vietnam and proposed that both sides boost the implementation of joint agreements signed by their leaders.

Vietnam and China should strengthen cooperation, especially at the local level, in order to establish a peaceful, cooperative, and friendly environment, said Mr Hung.

He also took the opportunity to convey his best wishes to Party General Secretary and State President Hu Jintao and other Chinese Party and State leaders.

For his part, Ambassador Kong recommended Vietnam and China enhance solidarity and cooperation to deal with external challenges and settle any disputes between the two sides.

He also said he hopes that the two national legislative bodies will promote exchanges of high-ranking delegations and parliamentarian groups to nurture bilateral friendship.

Remarkable development of Vietnam-China relations

Despite various ups and downs, the friendly and neighbourly relationship between Vietnam and China has developed well, benefiting both countries and peoples.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho made this affirmation at a Lunar New Year meeting with Vietnamese and Chinese media agencies in Beijing on January 16.

Ambassador Tho briefed the media on the situation in Vietnam, saying that though the country was affected by regional and global complications, Vietnam ironed out snags to gain significant achievements in all fields.

Economic growth was maintained at 5.9 percent while inflation was curbed, he noted, adding that Vietnam also recorded progress in culture, education, training, science, technology and tourism.

The diplomat emphasised that 2011 was a milestone in Vietnam-China relationship with remarkable developments in economics, politics, national defence and security, which was highlighted by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China in October and Vice President Xi Jinping’s Vietnam visit in December.

According to the ambassador, bilateral cooperation was demonstrated through a number of events such as the fifth session of the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation, the seventh theoretical workshop between the two communist Parties, the third Vietnam-China People’s Forum, and the Vietnam-China Youth Festival.

Tho quoted the Chinese Customs as saying that China has been Vietnam’s biggest trade partner for the last seven years with two-way trade reaching US$40 billion in 2011, up 33.6 percent against the previous year.

China currently ranks 14th out of the 93 nations investing in Vietnam, with total registered capital of US$4.25 billion in 800 FDI projects.

Cooperation in culture, education, training, science and technology has also advanced. Vietnam now has 13,000 students in China and more than 3,000 Chinese students are studying in Vietnamese universities.

Tho said the two sides are working closely together to settle the remaining disputes between them in order to maintain peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

VNA/VOV