YOUYIGUAN, Guangxi -- A ceremony was jointly held by China and Vietnam in Guangxi Monday marking the completion of land border demarcation and the erection of boundary markers, a significant event in bilateral relations.

A ceremony marking the completion of land border demarcation between China and Vietnam is held at the Youyiguan border gate in Pingxiang City, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, February 23, 2009. [Xinhua]

The ceremony started at 3:30 pm at the Youyiguan border gate in Pingxiang City in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, opposite to Lang Son City of Vietnam. The border gate is known as Huu Nghi Quan in Vietnam.

More than 400 government officials and about 400 representatives from both countries, including those who attended the land border demarcation, were present at the ceremony. Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Dung were all there.

"The completion of land border demarcation is a major event in bilateral relations with far-reaching historic significance," Dai said.

"It not only creates a new condition for the two countries to develop a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, but also contributes to regional peace, stability and development," he said.

"The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government attach great importance to the relationship with Vietnam. We are willing to make joint efforts with the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese government to develop land borders into a link of friendly exchanges and close cooperation, thus bringing benefits to the two peoples," Dai added.

Dai's praises for the milestone event were echoed by Pham.

"It (the completion of land border demarcation) is a significant historic event in bilateral relations and satisfies the long-term and ardent aspirations of the two peoples," Pham said at the ceremony.