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China and Vietnam agreed on Thursday to implement a consensus reached previously by the leaders of both countries regarding the South China Sea so as to solve the issue via negotiations and dialogue.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung as they attend the 9th China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Expo in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 20, 2012. [Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

In his meeting with Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in south China's city of Nanning, Vice President Xi Jinping said issues regarding the South China Sea do not represent the entirety of China-Vietnam relations, but will affect their ties if improperly dealt with.

Both leaders have reached many important agreements regarding the sea and the two countries should earnestly implement them, said Xi.

"This is also vital for the smooth development of bilateral cooperation," said the vice president.

Echoing Xi's remarks, Dung, who is in China for the ninth China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), said Vietnam and China should conscientiously implement the consensus, despite the fact that the two countries hold different views on the South China Sea.

The issue should be properly solved through negotiation and dialogue from a strategic height and in the spirit of brotherhood and comradeship, said Dung, adding that Vietnam will not let the issue affect the overall state of bilateral ties.

Xi said China hopes to maintain close communication with Vietnam during an east Asia summit to be held later this year so as to jointly promote east Asian cooperation.

Dung said Vietnam will always remember and appreciate the valuable assistance provided by China, adding that it is the top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy to develop cooperation with China.

Vietnam is ready to exert all its efforts to cherish and safeguard its traditional friendship with China, Dung said.

The CAEXPO is slated to run from Sept. 21 to 25 in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. It has gathered foreign leaders from multiple ASEAN countries, including Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Mohamad Yassin and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

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