Vietnamese Ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho hosted a reception?in Beijing?on Monday to mark the 60th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic ties.

Addressing the reception, Han Qide, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said the past 60 years have witnessed a continuous development of the China-Vietnam traditional friendship.

The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government attach great importance to the development of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam, Han said, adding that China is ready to enhance friendly exchanges and expand reciprocal cooperation with Vietnam.

Despite the global financial crisis, bilateral trade volume went up to more than 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2009. China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner since 2004.

Nguyen said Vietnam would like to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties and the Year of Vietnam-China Friendship to further boost its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China.

Nguyen told a press conference at the Vietnamese embassy in Beijing on Jan. 8 that the two countries will host more than 30 activities in 2010 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the year of friendship.

China and Vietnam forged diplomatic relations on Jan. 18, 1950.