35 years on, China-Vietnam ties are promising

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the China-Vietnam border clashes.

Over three decades on, the two countries, having successfully put that particular historical chapter behind them, are aiming to build a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.

In recent years, the China-Vietnam ties have achieved tangible results amid increasing leaders' visits, booming trade and deepening people-to-people exchanges. The two countries are currently committed to ever enrich their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, during his official visit to Vietnam last October, reached important consensuses with Vietnamese leaders. Both sides vowed to deepen their partnership by simultaneously enhancing cooperation on land, at sea and in the financial area.

On the widely-watched South China Sea issue, the two countries agreed to establish a working group for maritime boundary issues and resource development.

Given the sensitivity of the territorial dispute, the proper management of their differences at sea has served to promote mutual trust and laid a solid foundation for cooperation in other areas.

This also sent out a clear message to other countries in the region and the world at large that maritime disputes, though being tricky, can be dealt with through direct bilateral negotiations.

Building on this positive momentum, China and Vietnam can further develop their relationship to the benefits of both sides.

The Chinese and Vietnamese economies are highly complimentary to each other. They can further tap the cooperation potential in trade, investment, infrastructure and finance.

Especially, booming trade and ever closer economic ties will pave the way for more Chinese capital to flow into the investment-hungary Southeast Asian country.

Besides, it is worth noting that the China-Vietnam relationship has a special nature as they share similar political systems and development paths. The two countries should support each other in their pursuit of economic and social progress.

The past three decades have proved that the two countries, despite their differences, have the motivation and wisdom to build a fruitful relationship.