On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties, top leaders of both sides have exchanged congratulatory messages to each other.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung exchanged greetings with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhang De Jiang.

In their letters, the Vietnamese leaders affirmed that January 18, 1950 marked an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations when China was the first nation in the world establishing its diplomatic ties with Vietnam.

“Over the past 65 years, despite difficulties, friendship and cooperation are still the main stream of the two Parties and States’ relationship; and constantly consolidating and developing the ties are in accordance with the two peoples’ basic and long-term interests and contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world,” wrote the letters.

The leaders expressed their delight at new progress in the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, confirming that Vietnam always treasures its relationship with China and wants to work with China to further the bilateral ties.

With joint efforts from both sides, the time-honoured friendship, mutual trust and mutually-benefited collaboration between the two Parties, States and peoples will be enhanced, bringing about prosperity for each country and happiness for people, they added.

In turn, the Chinese leaders also wrote in their message that the Chinese Party and Government attach great importance to developing the bilateral ties, stand ready to work with Vietnam to carry forward strategic cooperation, and bear in mind a strategic and long-term perspective and the need to steer bilateral relations in the correct direction.

In the context of profound changes in international and regional arenas, good-neighborliness and friendship, enhanced political mutual trust and deepened cooperation are in line with the aspirations of the two peoples and their fundamental interests, they affirmed.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also exchanged congratulatory messages with Chinese FM Wang Yi.-VNA