The message by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong wrote: China was the first state in the world to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), marking an historical milestone in the time-honoured relationship between the two countries, creating a source of strong encouragement to the Vietnamese people’s resistance war and favourable conditions for bilateral relations to develop in all aspects.

The Vietnamese people always bear in mind with deep gratitude the great support and assistance the fraternal Chinese Party, government and people have extended to them during their past struggle for national liberation as well as national construction at present.

“We are pleased to see that, in recent years, the Vietnam-China friendly and cooperative relations for mutual benefit have grown rapidly, strongly and comprehensively in all fields,” they wrote.

Regular visits and meetings by senior leaders from both nations have been maintained, while mutual trust has been on the rise and the exchanges and multifaceted cooperation have been expanded effectively.

In particular, the agreement on building a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China under the motto of Friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability and looking toward the future and in the spirit of Good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners has formed a new and important momentum to elevate bilateral relationship to a new height.

Outstanding issues in bilateral relations have been solved gradually, including the completion of land border demarcation and marker planting and the signing of documents regarding the shared land border in the past two years, which were of historical significance.

The celebration of the 60^th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties marks the beginning the Vietnam-China Friendship Year 2010, the leaders noted, adding that this is a good opportunity for the two Parties, States and people to further strengthen the traditional friendship, solidarity, mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.

They affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam always treasure and consistently do their utmost to develop the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with the fraternal Communist Party, Government and people of China.

“We believe that, with concerted efforts of both sides, the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will continue to expand, bringing prosperity to both nations and happiness to their people,” the Vietnamese leaders stressed.

Chinese Party General Secretary and State President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo, and Premier of the State Council Wen Jiabao, shared these views in their message that the establishment of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations was an important event and milestone in the history of the bilateral relationship. Over the past 60 years, the China-Vietnam traditional friendship, which was set up and nurtured by the predecessor leaders, has developed constantly.

Entering the new century, relations between China and Vietnam have constantly reached new heights, building up the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, they wrote.

Bilateral cooperation in various areas has reaped a lot of achievements, while the issues related to border and territory have been gradually dealt with, and coordination in international and regional matters has been maintained.

Reality has proved that the promotion of the friendly neighbourliness and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Vietnam is in line with the common desires and basic interests of the two countries’ people and beneficial to peace, stability and development in the region.

The Chinese Party, Government and people attach great importance to developing the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

“On the threshold of the new historic stage, we wish to join efforts with Vietnam to uphold the time-honoured friendship, increase the friendly exchanges and expand cooperation for mutual benefit, thus opening up a new stage in the friendly neighbourliness and cooperation between China and Vietnam,” the Chinese leaders elaborated.

They went on to say that China will work closely with Vietnam to organise their friendship year so as to promote mutual understanding and friendship.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who is Chairman of the Vietnamese Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation, exchanged congratulatory messages with State Councillor Dai Bingguo, Chairman of the Chinese Steering Committee for China-Vietnam Bilateral Cooperation, and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.