Maritime dispute to be addressed (2)

Beijing and Hanoi also agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and seal a document to implement the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership as soon as possible, said the joint news release.

Yang Baoyun, an expert on Southeast Asian studies at Peking University, said the development of bilateral ties is inevitable as they have similar tasks of maintaining growth and stability at home, while closer Sino-Vietnamese cooperation is significant for the Southeast Asian country's economy and regional stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

"The maritime issue can hardly be solved overnight, but the two sides share the consensus to not let the issue disturb the overall ties," he said.

China is Vietnam's biggest trade partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $40 billion last year. The volume is expected to reach $60 billion by 2015. Deals at the China-Vietnam Border Economic and Trade Fair 2012 held in November reached $347 million, up 142 percent compared with 2010.

The committee, launched in 2006 in Hanoi, serves as a platform for dialogue between high-level officials from the two countries. The committee meets once a year to discuss strategic and critical issues that affect bilateral relations. Participants have included officials from ruling parties, military officials, and central and local government officials from both countries.