(VNF) - The sixth congress of the Vietnam – China Friendship Association for the 2017-2022 tenure was held on August 03 in Hanoi.

The congress elected a 70-member executive board for the tenure.

Addressing the congress, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed Vietnam always attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations with China, considering it as top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

Over the past years, the Vietnam-China relationship has maintained visits between senior leaders, strengthening political trust, improving the effectiveness of cooperation, controlling and resolving disputes satisfactorily, promoting relations between the two parties and the two States to develop steadily, sustainably and in depth.

In addition, exchanges and cooperation between ministries, localities and people of the two countries have been increasingly tightened, trade and economic cooperation has taken new steps to bring about practical benefits for both countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said that the friendly exchange between the two peoples is a social foundation, a source of strength for the two countries' relations, which is very important for the consolidation of trust, the mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation of the two peoples.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed Vietnam always attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations with China. Photo: VNF/Nhu Quynh

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh suggested in the term of 2017-2022, Vietnam-China Friendship Association should focus on a number of tasks such as strengthening friendship exchanges, strengthening solid social foundation for relationship between the two countries, actively participate in propaganda about the cooperation between Vietnam and China; actively contributing to promoting cooperation in all fields; attracting the participation and encouraging the spirit of friendship of people of all strata, especially the young generation.

On behalf of the Chinese embassy in Vietnam, Ambassador Hong Xiaoyun congratulated the congress's success. Ambassador Hong Xiaoyn asserted that the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam would like to work closely with the Vietnam-China Friendship Association to promote the spirit of creativity, constantly enrich the forms of people-to-people diplomacy, creating new bridges for the two peoples.

On this occasion, the Vietnam-China Friendship Association is honored to receive the Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister. Many collectives and inpiduals of the Association receive certificates of merit and medals "For peace of friendship among peoples" of the the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Union Friendship Organizations awards certifcate of merit and medals “For peace of friendship among peoples” to many collectives and inpiduals of the Vietnam – China Friendship Association. Photo: VNF/Nhu Quynh

Tran Ngoc