BEIJING, Feb. 11 -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Phu Trong, pledged Wednesday to promote sound and steady development of their countries' partnership.

In a telephone conversation with Trong, Xi said he is pleased to speak to Trong on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

Noting that this is the third year in a row for them to speak over phone on the anniversary, Xi said high-level contact and communication are important to maintaining sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

Xi, who is also Chinese president, pointed out that friendship and cooperation have been the mainstream of China-Vietnam relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties 65 years ago.

The two parties, countries and peoples have supported each other, helped each other, adhered to the leadership of the parties and followed the path of socialism, Xi said, adding that they have become a community of common destiny with strategic importance.

The international and regional situations are undergoing profound changes and the two countries are both at key stages of reform and innovation, he noted.

Against this backdrop, he said, it is in line with the fundamental interests of both sides and conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity for the two sides to cement political mutual trust, boost win-win cooperation, strengthen guidance of public opinion, and properly handle differences.

Xi stressed that the CPC and the Chinese government have always attached great importance to the traditional friendship with Vietnam and treated the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective.

The CPC and the Chinese government, he added, stand ready to work with their Vietnamese counterparts to promote sound and steady development of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in accordance with the spirit of good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners.

Xi also spoke highly of the achievements Vietnam has made in reform and development under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) chaired by Trong, and said he looks forward to hosting Trong soon this year.

Trong, for his part, said that the friendship and good neighborliness between Vietnam and China, which were fostered by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, are key to the success of the revolutionary causes of the two countries.

The CPV and the Vietnamese government and people have always regarded developing the friendly cooperative relationship with China as a top priority in Vietnam's foreign policy, said Trong.

He added that his country is willing to work with China to enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and advance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to push forward the sound and steady development of bilateral ties.

Trong also invited Xi to visit Vietnam.

Besides, the two leaders exchanged Spring Festival greetings, and wished the people of each other's countries a happy festival.