2010: Year of VN-China Friendship

Chinese Ambassador to Việt Nam Sun Guoxiang

He also highlighted that all the issues relating to the East Sea would not damages the bilateral relationship.

This year, as agreed by leaders of the two countries, will be the Việt Nam-China Friendship Year when the two neighbors plan to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of their diplomatic establishment, the Ambassador said.

Series of political, economic and commercial celebrations will be held in the two countries to enrich the contents of the strategic partnership for comprehensive cooperation.

Also in 2010, a delegattion of Chinese cadres who once worked with President Hồ Chí Minh will visit Việt Nam and share with Vietnamese youths their memories with the great leader.

Recalling the development of the relationship during the past sixty years, Mr. Sun Gouxiang sorted out three grounds that have driven the bilateral relationship: mutual respect and understanding; equality and mutual interests; and for great work.

In 2009, the two sides exchanged 267 delegations, including 108 ministerial-level or higher. The two-way trade turnover still kept pace amid the global financial crisis and economic downturn, standing at US $20 billion in the first eleven months. The two countries target a value of US $25 billion this year.

A large number of joint conferences and seminars to share experience of Party building, State management and solutions to cope with the global financial crisis were repeatedly organized during the past years.

Ambassador Sun also congratulated Việt Nam on its assumption of ASEAN Presidency, confirming China’s strong support and belief in Việt Nam’s capacity to fulfill the role.

By Hải Minh