Vietnamese, Chinese presidents hold talks in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined that China and Vietnam should make a decision to direct and push forward on seeking a political solution to the South China Sea issue in line with taking responsibilities for history and people. "We should proceed from the Chinese-Vietnamese friendship and the development of both countries, so the issue does not affect bilateral ties," the Chinese President said during a meeting with visiting Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang. The key to resolving the dispute lies in maintaining stability and promoting cooperation, Xi added. Both should adhere to pushing forward bilateral negotiations and friendly consultations while taking no unilateral move that may lead to the dispute further being complicated and increased, he said. Efforts should also be made to avoid the issue becoming internationalized, he said. China is willing to work with Vietnam to increase the intensity and frequency of negotiations between the working groups for sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay and meanwhile strive to conduct joint development and demarcation concurrently, Xi said. He added that China also hopes both sides carry out joint research in sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay at an early date. For his part, President Sang said that Vietnam is willing to implement the consensus between the two countries and properly handle relevant problems through friendly consultations. Vietnam agreed to actively hold talks on joint development and demarcation in sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay while making efforts to jointly safeguard maritime peace and stability so as to avoid the issue affecting bilateral relations.