HANOI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam agreed on Thursday to jointly launch the "China-Vietnam Friendship Year" in 2010 to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

    The third meeting of the China-Vietnam steering committee on cooperation was held here on Thursday. It was co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem.

    The two sides believed that bilateral ties between China and Vietnam will be further enhanced through the year of friendship, according to a statement issued by the Chinese foreign ministry.

    During the meeting, the two sides also agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and enhance political mutual trust. The two countries pledged to join hands to tackle the global financial crisis and achieve mutual benefits and a win-win situation, the statement said.

    They agreed to properly solve the border issue and safeguard the stability and peace in the border areas.

    The two also vowed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, science, technology, tourism and sports.

    Dai said that China and Vietnam have made new developments in friendly cooperation since the second meeting of the steering committee last year.

    In the face of the financial crisis, China is ready to join hands with Vietnam to overcome the difficulties based on the principle of "long-term stability, future orientation, good-neighborly friendship and all-round cooperation," Dai said.

    Khiem said it has always been a priority of Vietnam's foreign policy to develop friendly and cooperative relations with China.

    Vietnam will closely cooperate with China to push their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage, Khiem said.