Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping meets with Vietnamese army chief Do Ba Ty (L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 13, 2012.?

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese army chief Do Ba Ty Friday morning as the two sides reaffirmed pursuit of friendly ties as well as regional peace and stability.

"In the face of a complex and ever-changing international situation, the two sides should join forces and work to retain the correct direction in expanding bilateral relations, actively bring benefits to the two peoples, and maintain peace, stability and development in the region and the world," Xi said.

Ty said the Vietnamese side was ready to work with China to firmly safeguard the Vietnam-China friendship, properly handle disputes and make joint efforts to promote peace, stability and development.

He is heading a military delegation to China, which consists of top commanding officers of different services and legions of Vietnam's army. Ty is also scheduled to hold talks with Chen Bingde, chief of the general staffs of the People's Liberation Army of China.

During the meeting, Xi said the China-Vietnam friendship was created and fostered by older generations of leaders from both countries. Since China and Vietnam resumed a normal state of relations in 1991, bilateral links have made progress as exchanges and cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, culture and military bear great fruits.

Xi stressed that appropriate resolution of two major issues -- demarcation of land borders and maritime borders in the Beibu Gulf -- has brought tangible benefits to the two countries.

Noting that both China and Vietnam share identical social systems, similar ideals and connected destinies, Xi emphasized that these factors constituted a unique advantage for advancing practical cooperation and were conducive to properly addressing disputes between the two countries.

Ty said the Vietnamese people always cherished the support and assistance that China offered them in the causes of national liberalization and socialist construction. He added that Vietnam greatly treasured the tradition of friendship with China.

Ty said the Vietnamese side had always placed importance in, and would continue to work for, expanding the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Relations between the militaries of the two countries saw steady growth in recent years, Xi said, adding that this had not only contributed to the development of national defense and the armed forces of both countries, but also promoted the development of China's partnership with Vietnam.

Ty responded that the militaries should further strengthen cooperation so as to maintain the general situation of bilateral links.