A ceremony was held in Beijing on August 30 to mark the 65 th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day and the 60 th anniversary of the Vietnam-China diplomatic ties, and launch the Vietnamese Days in China.

Prominent among nearly 700 representatives from Chinese agencies, the Sino-Vietnamese Friendship Association and diplomatic corps in Beijing was Abdul’ahat Abdurixit, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh recalled the countries’ relations over the past 60 years, affirming Vietnam’s belief in the unceasing development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership, thus bringing prosperity and happiness for people of the two countries as well as contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

The stant to Chinese Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyao praised Vietnam ’s great achievements, saying he believed that the Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam will build Vietnam into a strong socialist country with rich people, and an equal, democratic and civilised society.

He hailed the significance of activities during the Vietnam-China friendship year and affirmed that the reality over the past 60 years had proved the two countries’ friendship meets the common aspiration and fundamental interest of both peoples, benefiting peace, stability and development in the region.

The Vietnamese Days in China programme, jointly held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Vietnamese Embassy in China, includes various activities such as economic forums to boost cooperation in investment, trade and tourism, meetings of governmental and business, and Vietnamese traditional art performances.

Also on the same day, an economic forum on cooperation and investment was held in Beijing with the participation of nearly 300 Vietnamese and Chinese businesses./.