Chinese and Vietnamese party chiefs held talks on Tuesday afternoon, including a "candid" discussion on the South China Sea.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R), who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), shakes hands with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2011. Nguyen Phu Trong arrived in Beijing on Tuesday, kicking off a five-day official visit to China. [Zhang Duo/Xinhua]

Talks between General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hu Jintao and visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong were held at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

According to a press release issued after the talks, the two sides spoke positively about an agreement on the basic principles guiding the resolution of the two countries' maritime issues.

President Hu said leaders of both countries should maintain communication, dialogue and negotiations regarding the issues and give timely guidance from a political and strategic point of view for the appropriate handling of the issues.

Both sides should not take any action that may magnify or complicate the disputes, but instead deal with problems in a calm and constructive fashion and avoid affecting the relationship between the two countries and parties, as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea, Hu said.

He also called on both countries to actively consider common exploration and take concrete action as soon as possible.

Trong said the maritime issues are just one part of Vietnam-China relations. Any inappropriate handling of the issues will affect the overall development of bilateral relations, Trong said.

He said the Vietnamese side will maintain direct communication with Chinese leaders regarding the appropriate management of maritime issues and give timely guidance.

They will work with the Chinese side to implement their agreement, insist on friendly consultation and negotiation and properly resolve the issues so as not to affect the relationship between the two countries and parties, the sentiment between the two peoples and peace and stability on the sea.