China hails Vietnam ties, urges proper problem solving

BEIJING

President Xi Jinping has hailed bilateral relations between China and Vietnam, urging both nations to handle any differences diplomatically and properly, according to State news agency Xinhua.

During a speech at the National Assembly of Vietnam on Friday, Xi reminded guests that the year 2015 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"The two sides should insist on mutual respect and friendly negotiation, seek common ground, and handle differences properly," Xi was quoted as saying, on the last day of a two-day state visit -- his first as China's head of state.

Xinhua reported Xi as saying that the two sides hope to consolidate their traditional friendship, "stick to mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, reinforce the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and develop culture and people-to-people exchanges."

Another Xinhua report Friday said that Xi's schedule in Vietnam reflects the "positive momentum" of relations between the two countries.

"Given that their dispute over the sovereignty of some South China Sea islands has yet to be solved, the progress bears witness to the two neighbors' will and ability to properly manage their differences," the article said.

China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines have laid claims to areas of the Spratly archipelago in the Sea.

China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner for the last 11 years, while Vietnam has become China's second biggest Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partner.

President Xi will head to Singapore later Friday upon the invitation of President Tony Tan Keng Yam.