Chinese ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong (1st R) addresses a memorial ceremony for Chinese martyrs in Gia Lam of Hanoi, Vietnam, Sept. 30, 2014. The first Martyrs' Day was observed here to honor and remember the Chinese martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Vietnam fighting against the invasion of France and the United States in the last century. (Xinhua/Zhang Jianhua)

HANOI, Sept. 30  -- Chinese embassy officials, Chinese enterprises, students and media representatives, as well as Vietnamese accompanying officials observed and held a memorial ceremony at a cemetery of Chinese martyrs in Gia Lam District of Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Tuesday to mark China's first Martyrs' Day.

"On the occasion of the first Martyrs' Day, we, with great admiration, pay tribute to those who laid to rest here to sacrifice for the friendship between China and Vietnam," said Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong.

"We deeply cherish the memory of martyrs who sacrificed for peace and justice. Their immortal contributions will never be forgotten," Hong said.

"During the wars against the French and U.S. invasion in Vietnam, Chinese soldiers fought side by side with Vietnamese brotherhood against invaders. More than 1,400 Chinese people sacrificed their precious lives here for Vietnam's national independence and liberation. Their sacrifice has built up a monument of China-Vietnam friendship," said the ambassador.

In the latter part of the 20th century, especially in the war against the U.S. invasion in Vietnam, over 320,000 Chinese troops were sent to Vietnam joining the country in defending independence and unity upon the request of Vietnamese communist party and the people.

A roll of honor compiled by Chinese embassy in Vietnam in 2005 clearly records the martyrs of their names, ranks, birthdays and sacrificing dates etc., along with the sketch maps of all the 40 martyr cemeteries in Vietnam.

The roll of honor reads that between 1951 and 1976, 1,446 Chinese people were martyred in Vietnam, including six military advisors in anti-France war, 1,430 soldiers and engineering experts in anti-U.S. war, two personnel from Chinese embassy and Xinhua News Agency, and eight visiting artists.

Following the "on-site arrangements" principles consented by China and Vietnam, those martyrs were buried in 40 cemeteries in 22 provinces and cities in northern and central regions of Vietnam.

Zhen Zhongxing, military attach of Chinese embassy in Vietnam said the cemetery in Gia Lam is home for 49 Chinese martyrs. They were military advisors in anti-France war, members of logistic Detachment 1, and Red River Bridge engineers.

The roll of honor also records in the note column the martyrs' grand final chapters, including "sacrificed in combats," " bombed by the hostile aircrafts," killed in anti-air combats," "killed when rescuing local Vietnamese in floods," "awarded Vietnamese government's third-class medal," etc.

The Chinese ambassador said "currently, China and Vietnam have entered a new stage of socio-economic development. The two sides are joining efforts to promote the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership."

"We will inherit and bear in mind the behest of the martyrs, continuously consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam in order to create a brighter future of bilateral relations," Hong said.

The Chinese martyrs' cemetery in Hanoi has been upgraded by the Vietnamese side in recent years. In the shade of mango and litchi trees, the 49 graves staying in rows are all built with black granite. The whole cemetery is elevated by 30 cm to prevent flood water.

Hoang Thu Ha, a 43 year-old Vietnamese woman, who has served as a custodian at the cemetery for nearly eight years, told Xinhua that she wants the relatives of all the martyrs here to know that she will take good care of the Chinese martyrs just like taking care of her own relatives, because they died for the independence of Vietnam.