VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese and Chinese leaders have exchanged greetings on the 59th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries that falls on January 18.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong exchanged congratulatory messages with Chinese Party General Secretary and President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Wu Bangguo, and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi also greeted each other on this occasion.

The Vietnamese Ambassador to China gave a banquet on January 16 to mark the event.

Addressing the function, ambassador Nguyen Van Tho affirmed that the Vietnamese-Sino relationship is an invaluable asset, which was founded and fostered by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong and other leaders of the two countries.

He highlighted major developments in bilateral relations in 2008, saying the two countries established the strategic comprehensive partnership and completed border demarcation and marker planting. Two-way trade between Vietnam and China hit a record high of US$20 billion.

He expressed his belief that the two countries will make a greater effort to bring their partnership to new heights in 2009 and 2010.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said that the Chinese Party, Government and people want to promote bilateral ties with Vietnam in the interests of the two nations.

(Source: VOV)