China, Vietnam pledge to properly settle maritime issues

China and Vietnam reaffirmed their political will and determination to settle maritime issues through negotiations and friendly consultations and to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. The leaders of the two parties and countries will keep frequent communication and dialogue on the maritime issues, and to instruct the proper handle and settlement of the issues from political and strategic perspectives, a joint statement said, according to China''s News Agency (Xinhua). Both sides speak highly of the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues existing between the two countries, which was signed by China''s Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and his Vietnamese counterpart Ho Xuan Son. Both sides believe the agreement will guide the settlement of maritime issues between the two countries and pledge to make joint efforts to earnestly implement the agreement, the statement said. Before maritime disputes are finally resolved, both sides will ensure the peace and stability of the South China Sea, keep calm and restrained rather than take any action that will complicate and expand disputes, the statement said. The statement was issued at the end of Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong''s first visit to China from Oct. 11-15 at the invitation of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president.