Agricultural authorities from Beijing and Hanoi agreed on Wednesday to establish a fishery emergency hotline, as the leaders of the two countries vowed to prevent disputes from derailing ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang wave during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2013. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

The agreement was reached during Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang’s first official trip to China, also the first by a Vietnamese leader since the new Chinese leadership was unveiled in March.

"With the establishment of the fishery hotline, each side should be informed of any detainment or treatment by the other side involving fishermen or fishing boats within 48 hours," said Wang Ying, director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture.

The agreement did not mention territorial issues, and "it aims to facilitate working practices and is conducive for dealing with emergencies", Wang said.

During the three-hour-long talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnamese President Sang, both sides agreed to ensure stability in the South China Sea and make sure disputes do not detract from overall diplomatic ties.

Xi stressed that China and Vietnam should push forward with seeking a political solution to the South China Sea issue.

"China and Vietnam should make a decision to direct and push forward on seeking a political solution to the South China Sea issue in line with taking responsibilities for history and people. We should proceed from the Chinese-Vietnamese friendship and the development of both countries, so the issue does not affect bilateral ties," Xi said.

Both should adhere to pushing forward bilateral negotiations and friendly consultations while taking no unilateral move that may lead to the dispute further being complicated and increased, he said, adding that efforts should also be made to avoid the issue becoming internationalized.

China is willing to work with Vietnam to increase the intensity and frequency of negotiations between the working groups for sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay and meanwhile strive to conduct joint development and demarcation concurrently, Xi said. He added that China also hopes both sides carry out joint research in sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay at an early date.

Sang said Vietnam is willing to implement the consensus between the two countries and properly handle relevant problems through friendly consultations.

Vietnam agreed to actively hold talks on joint development and demarcation in sea waters out of the mouth of Beibu Bay while making efforts to jointly safeguard maritime peace and stability so as to avoid the issue affecting bilateral relations.

Two presidents also witnessed the signing of another nine agreements in areas including defense, economy and public diplomacy.

(China Daily contributed to the story.)

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