Xi calls on both countries to cement relations

Beijing and Hanoi on Monday vowed to handle maritime issues properly through consultation and manage disagreements, as the two neighboring nations move to fix relations strained by Vietnam's previous violent protests against China.

President Xi Jinping and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, who is in Beijing to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, made the remarks when they met at the Great Hall of the People.

"The China-Vietnam relations have been advancing continuously since the two nations established diplomatic relations, despite some twists and turns," Xi said.

He noted that high-ranking officials of the ruling parties of the two nations met not long ago, and the two governments have agreed on measures to further restore and develop their relationship.

Protests broke out and soon turned violent in Vietnam in May over a Chinese oil rig deployed in the South China Sea.

In late August, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong sent a special envoy to Beijing to "cool down the situation".

On Oct 16, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung, met in Milan, Italy, on the sidelines of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting summit. One day later, defense leaders from the two countries agreed in Beijing to "gradually resume" military ties.

Additionally, State Councilor Yang Jiechi visited Vietnam in June and October.

China highly values its relations with Vietnam and wants to see better development of the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Xi said.

He called on both sides to cement the improving momentum of the relations by enhancing strategic communication and keeping the ties going in the right direction.

As long as both countries focus on the overall, long-term interests, respect each other and carry out friendly consultation, their relations are set to be consolidated and developed, the president said.

Vietnam is ready to implement the agreement reached with China and properly deal with maritime issues through friendly consultation so that the issues will not affect the two countries' relations, Truong Tan Sang said.

He expressed willingness to increase high-level contact and nongovernment exchanges with China and strengthen mutual trust and cooperation.

Sang has said in Beijing that his country welcomes Chinese investment. Many Chinese companies have grown cautious about investing in Vietnam due to previous violent protests.

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