China and Vietnam agree to properly handle disputes

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang in Beijing on Thursday, agreeing to expand common grounds and properly settle disputes.

Xi appreciated Sang's visit for China's V-Day celebrations, adding that it shows the great support the Vietnamese party and government have given to China for holding the event.

"We are in favor of properly handling disputes between both sides through dialogues, and expanding cooperation and common interests," Xi said.

Both countries are socialist countries led by communist parties, and it is a requirement for the two countries to enhance strategic coordination, exchanges and cooperation, so as to achieve the development goals of each country, said the Chinese president.

Hailing the stable growth of ties, Xi said both countries have reached important consensus in boosting capacity cooperation and aligning China's Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam's Two Corridors and One Economic Circle plan.

"China-Vietnam ties face new opportunities," Xi said, calling for consolidating traditional friendship, expanding cooperation and cultural exchanges, and maintaining high-level contacts.

Sang said he was glad to attend China's commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on Thursday.

The two sides have the responsibility to inherit and carry forward Vietnam-China friendly ties forged by older generations of the two countries' leaders, he said.

Vietnam hopes to strengthen political trust and personnel exchanges with China, properly handle differences and enhance win-win cooperation, Sang said.