Nations vow to talk on South China Sea

BEIJING - China and Vietnam pledged to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, and keep calm and restrained rather than take any action that will complicate and expand disputes, according to a joint statement issued on Saturday as Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong concluded his China visit.

The two countries also reaffirmed their political will to settle maritime issues through negotiations and friendly consultation.

China and Vietnam have a long-standing dispute over sovereignty of part of South China Sea, which has potentially oil-rich waters and a vital commercial shipping route.