The People's Republic of China gave full military honors to the visiting high-ranking delegation of Vietnamese officials at the Great Hall of the People, the seat of legislation in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Vietnam's ruling Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong for a four-day state visit that allegedly aimed to mend ties between China and Vietnam in relation to territorial disputes in South China Sea.

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Trong is being accompanied by Vietnam's Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang.

After the welcoming military honors, the officials of both nations had their meeting proper, which culminated with the signing of a raft of agreements for cooperation.

In their meeting, President Xi told the visiting Vietnamese officials that China and Vietnam must help each other in maintaining peace and stability in South China Sea, stressing the importance of managing their disputes over the contested territories.

Vietnam-China 'tension'

Tensions between Vietnam and China escalated last May when China positioned its huge giant oil rig along the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, the territories claimed by Vietnam.

Vietnam accused China of infringing on Vietnam's territories, which China vehemently denied. In July, China pulled out its giant oil rig from the Paracel Islands, citing that it has already completed its mission in the area and it needs to be secured with the onset of the typhoon season.

The so-called territorial infringement by China caused massive anti-China protest actions in Vietnam that resulted in the death of at least four Chinese nationals.

Meanwhile, the visit of top-ranking Vietnamese officials in China is said to be a start of mending ties between the two nations. This tie, however, remains fragile and needs more time to solidify as both countries are strengthening their respective maritime forces over their claims on some areas in the South China Sea.

TagsVietnam