THAI NGUYEN, Vietnam, April 3 --"We honor the heroes today to respect their fearlessness, inherit their behest, and to consolidate and develop the traditional friendship between the two countries," said Chinese ambassador to Vietnam Hong Xiaoyong.

On Thursday, a delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, Chinese companies, institutions, students and media representatives, together with Vietnamese accompanying officials, observed the graves of the Chinese martyrs in Linh Son Chinese martyr cemeteries in Thai Nguyen province on the occasion of Tomb Sweeping Day, or Qingming Festival as its known locally.

Linh Son cemeteries in Thai Nguyen's Dong Hy district are divided into Section A and B, holding a total 139 martyrs surrounded by green colored tea hills. "Over 50 years ago, during the war against the United States' invasion of Vietnam, upon the request of the Vietnamese communist party and people, more than 320,000 Chinese troops were sent to Vietnam to help defend its independence and unity. During the war, more than 1,400 Chinese soldiers were laid to rest in Vietnam," said Hong. "They sacrificed their youth and precious lives to build up the immortal monument of friendship between China and Vietnam."

"At present, China and Vietnam are thriving, deepening comprehensive bilateral strategic partnership,"the ambassador said, adding that the development of the China-Vietnam relations can comfort the martyrs in that their blood spilt was not in vain. "I am very grateful to the Chinese soldiers who sacrificed themselves to help Vietnam during the war time,"said Nguyen Thi Van, a cemetery custodian.

The 70-year-old woman has been taking care of Linh Son Chinese martyr cemetery's Section A for 27 years. "As a local resident, I find myself with the responsibility of taking good care of the cemetery,"Van said. "I often sweep and clean up around the cemetery, offer incense every day. They came to help Vietnam during our struggle for independence, but then never had a chance to go back to their home. Therefore, I will try my best to take care of them here in Vietnam, "Van said. "Under the direction of Thai Nguyen provincial authorities, we have policies in managing and upgrading the cemetery regularly, and taking good care of the cemeteries," Hua Thanh Phu, an official of the agency of labor, invalids and social affairs of Thai Nguyen province's Dong Hy district told Xinhua.

According to the "on-site arrangements" principle agreed by both sides, the Chinese martyrs are buried in 40 cemeteries in 22 provinces across the northern and central regions of Vietnam.