China turned on the charm in another attempt to mend strained relations with fellow communist state Vietnam -- and weaken India's growing military influence -- with a lavish welcome for Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee now in Beijing on a four-day official visit.

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Vietnam remains China's most implacable foe in the disputed South China Sea and continues strengthening the military forces defending its coast and the islands in the Spratly Islands Archipelago it controls.

Some of Vietnam's islands were seized by China in the 1970s and 1980s after naval battles the Vietnamese lost. China is concerned about recent events that point to increasing military cooperation between India and Vietnam.

India has been selling more and more weapons to Vietnam -- especially guided missiles of all types -- and is now training Vietnamese pilots to fly Russian-made jets and Vietnamese submarine crewmen to operate their Russian-made diesel electric submarines.

President Xi Jinping, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held talks with Trong at the Great Hall of the People. Trong's visit comes as both countries celebrate the 67th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Xi hailed the growth of the all-round strategic cooperative partnership, citing progress in friendship, political trust, cooperation and cultural exchanges.

As for their maritime disputes, Xi said both sides must increase communication and consolidate mutual trust to lay a solid political foundation for the settlement of disputes and work together on maritime exploration and cooperation.

Describing the two countries as "comrades and brothers," Xi said China views relations with Vietnam strategically and from a long-term perspective, and hopes the two countries will properly manage and control disputes.

Xi suggested cementing political trust through close contact between top leaders and parties to offer strategic guidance. He proposed expanding military and security cooperation, and coordinating on global issues.

On the other hand, Trong also spoke of expanded maritime cooperation and achievements in trade, investment, tourism, defense, security and non-governmental exchange.

Trong, who arrived in China on Jan. 12, congratulated Xi on China's achievements under the leadership of the 18th CPC Central Committee. Vietnam hopes to combine its "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan with China's Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

This is Trong's first China visit since he was re-elected chief of the CPV in January 2016, and his first foreign trip in 2017. He is also the first foreign leader China has received this year, which reveals the importance both sides attach to their partnership, said Beijing.

Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar said Vietnam "is a close friend." He noted several initiatives are underway to further boost bilateral defense cooperation.

India is offering Vietnam its Akash medium-range, supersonic, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) defense system; the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile (the world's fastest) and the new Varunastra advanced heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo that can deal with China's fleet of Russian-made Kilo-class diesel electric submarines.

Also as part of this expanded strategic cooperation, India this year will begin training fighter pilots of the Vietnam People's Air Force on its Sukhoi-30MKI fighter.

For the past three years, the Indian Navy has been training submariners of the Vietnam People's Navy on how to operate their common Russian-made Kilo-class submarines, which are noted for their extreme quietness that complicates detection.

Tagschina, Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, President Xi Jinping, India, spratly islands, Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar