HANOI, Jan. 15  -- Vietnam highly appreciates the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation with China and hopes to join hands with China to further promote a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship for the fundamental and long- term benefits of both sides, a Vietnamese official said on Thursday.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the remarks at a reception held by the Chinese Embassy to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and China.

China was the first country in the world forging diplomatic relations with Vietnam on Jan. 18, 1950, Minh said, adding that in the past 65 years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, the friendship and cooperation between the two parties and two nations have been strengthening.

The Communist Party of Vietnam, the state and the Vietnamese people always remember the valuable support of China in their struggle for national independence, he said.

Chinese Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong said the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government attach great importance to the development of China-Vietnam ties. China is willing to elevate their bilateral relations to a new height on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of ties.

The two sides will further promote high-level exchanges of visits, deepen pragmatic cooperation, build a new pattern of joint development and common prosperity, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, said Hong.

Both sides should continue to unswervingly enhance friendly relations between the two peoples, tap the potentials for mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly safeguard the right direction in developing bilateral ties, he added.