(VOVworld) – The 7^th conference of China-ASEAN People's Friendship Organizations opened today in Hanoi to mark the 45^th anniversary of ASEAN and the 21^st anniversary of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said that for 45 years ASEAN has continuously exercised and expanded its central role in important dialogues such as ASEAN+1 and ASEAN +3 and has consistently promoted connectivity in East Asia. ASEAN is now boosting cooperation with China and other partners on its path to building an ASEAN community by 2015. Mr. Nhan: "The ASEAN-China relationship is one of the world’s most dynamic and effective partnerships. Promotion of comprehensive ASEAN-China relations supports peace and prosperity not only in Southeast Asia but throughout the hemisphere. Vietnam has been an active and responsible ASEAN member since 1995, and has successfully served as coordinator of ASEAN-China relations from 2009 to 2012. Vietnam will continue to support the ongoing efforts of ASEAN and China to enhance their multi-faceted ties".

Gu Tu Lien , head of the China-ASEAN Friendship Association, said that in the past 20 years the China-ASEAN friendship has developed from a comprehensive dialogue relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership: "China has attached great importance to developing relations with neighboring countries, especially ASEAN countries, in its diplomacy. The country’s motto “be friendly and a friend to the neighbors” will never change. The growth of China is an opportunity for ASEAN and vice versa".