China, Vietnam pledge to handle differences 'properly'

China and Vietnam pledged to handle differences properly and strengthen cooperation on Friday during the latest high-level exchanges staged in Hanoi.

China is willing to handle differences appropriately and keep the relationship on the right track, Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli said during his meeting with the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong.

Zhang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Party's Central Political Bureau, called for greater cooperation in various areas, including connectivity and industrial capacity.

Trong highlighted the great importance that his party attaches to the Vietnamese-Sino relationship.

During a meeting with Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang on Friday, Zhang urged both sides to implement cooperation projects that have already been agreed, to tap cooperation potential and promote exchanges in various sectors.

Sang called for closer maritime cooperation based on a proper handling of differences, and a more balanced trade between the two neighbors.

According to Vietnam's official data, China remains Vietnam's largest trading partner in the first half of 2015. However, Vietnam records a large trade deficit.

Zhang, who started a three-day visit to Vietnam on Thursday, also met Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc shortly after his arrival.

During a meeting with Dung, Zhang suggested the two sides link China's Belt and Road initiative and Vietnam's Two Corridors and One Economic Circle plan.

Dung proposed the two sides conduct a joint survey outside the mouth of the Beibu Gulf as soon as possible this year.

Qi Jianguo, a former Chinese ambassador to Vietnam, said starting a joint survey would be the most encouraging message this year amid simmering maritime tension in the South China Sea.

The integration of the two countries' development plans would focus on infrastructure developments, which needs massive investments, said Qi.

Infrastructure development is high on the Vietnamese government agenda.

Vietnam joined the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as a founding member.