The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam – China Friendship Association (VCFA) held a ceremony celebrating the 65 th anniversary of Vietnam – China diplomatic ties in Hanoi on January 16.

Addressing the event, VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong said friendship and cooperation are the mainstream in Vietnam-China relations despite ups and downs, adding that the traditional friendship is the valuable asset of the people of both countries.

Enhancing exchange and mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples is very important to the development of each nation, which is in line with the two peoples’ aspiration and long-term interest as well as beneficial to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world as a whole, Hong said.

He affirmed that the VCFA is willing to work with the China – Vietnam Friendship Association to facilitate friendly exchanges and work on ideas for win-win cooperation in all fields, contributing to realising an action plan on the implementation of the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

On her part, the President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Li Xiaolin unveiled that the CPAFFC and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region will launch a tour through Chinese cities where President Ho Chi Minh once lived, on the occasion of the 125 th anniversary of his birthday this year.

She shared her wish that friendship organisations of both countries work together to contribute to a healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-Vietnam ties.

Chinese Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong affirmed that China values the development of friendship with Vietnam and wishes to foster the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

The embassy is coordinating with the two countries’ friendship organisations to boost people-to-people diplomacy, a channel to raise mutual understanding, he said.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan welcomed the Chinese tourism initiative, adding that the tour will attract not only young people of both countries but also elderly Vietnamese who used to live in China.-VNA