Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan (L) and his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh inspect an honour guard at a welcoming ceremony before a formal meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam reached consensus on developing bilateral military relations on Friday, pledging to properly handle their maritime disputes.

The discussion took place between Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and his Vietnamese counterpart Phung Quang Thanh in Beijing.

During the talks, both sides decided to gradually resume and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral military ties.

Both sides' armed forces should enhance solidarity and provide a strong guarantee for the governing status of the communist parties of the two countries and the cause of socialist construction, a statement said.

The two sides agreed to abide by the consensus reached by both leaders and play a positive role in dealing with maritime disputes and safeguarding a peaceful and stable situation.

Also on Friday, Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met with Thanh and his 16-member high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation, which included six lieutenant generals and six major generals.

Li said it is important that leaders of both countries' defense ministries conduct exchanges, given the current circumstances.

"It is important to the healthy and stable development of bilateral military-to-military ties and state-to-state ties," Li told Thanh in his opening remarks.

In the meeting, Li called on China and Vietnam to intensify strategic communication, enhance political trust, manage maritime disputes, promote joint development, and strengthen tangible cooperation so as to forge ahead bilateral relations.

He also congratulated the Vietnamese People's Army on its 70th anniversary of establishment.

Thanh noted that Vietnam and China have maintained close contacts and enjoyed broad common interests, and said the Vietnamese military is willing to contribute to the development of bilateral military and state relations as well as the peace and stability of the region.

During the talks with Thanh, Chang said the visit by the high-ranking Vietnamese military delegation showed the political will of the Vietnamese party and armed forces to push for improvement of bilateral ties.

He hoped the two sides could make joint efforts in pushing for the sound and stable development of bilateral relations.

Thanh said the Vietnamese party and the armed forces attach great importance to relations with China and value the traditional friendship between the two sides.

The Vietnamese side hopes that the armed forces of the two countries will become the backbone in maintaining bilateral friendship.

The visit by the Vietnamese military delegation, scheduled for Oct. 16-18, aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' armies, according to an online newspaper of the Vietnamese People's Army on Thursday.