Vietnamese and Chinese culture ministries have agreed to strengthen cooperation by implementing several new cooperation agreements.

Consensus was reached during talks between visiting Chinese Minister of Culture Cai Wu and Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh in Hanoi on December 2.

The two sides vowed to effectively realise their cooperative agreement signed for the 2010-2012 period and recognised Vietnam’s proposal on China’s assistance to the country in conservation work and strengthening exchanges of information and experiences in order to develop the cultural sector in Vietnam.

They agreed to continue maintaining joint cultural and artistic activities, including a Cultural Week in each country, as well as activities to support Ha Long Bay’s bid to become one of seven new world wonders.

The two ministers said they were pleased with the developing friendship and strategic cooperation between Vietnam and China, especially cooperation in culture, sports and tourism.

The Chinese Ministry of Culture (CMC) delegation’s five-day visit and a performance by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe in Hanoi wrapped up a year of cultural, artistic and sports activities celebrating the 60 th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties.

On the same day, the Chinese delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan who expressed thanks for the Chinese government and the CMC for assistance to Vietnamese delegations at the Shanghai International Fair 2010 and the sixth Asian Games (ASIAD) in Guangzhou province.

During 2010, the year when Vietnam and China marked the 60 th anniversary of diplomatic ties, the two countries have held the largest number of cultural and artistic events so far, he said.

Nhan said the Vietnamese Party, State and people always attached importance to the traditional friendship between the two countries and educated young generations to preserve and develop that relationship for peace, national independence and prosperity of the two nations, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large./.