HANOI -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said here Wednesday that China and Vietnam, under new circumstances, should move forward on the path of friendship and cooperation from the strategic and long-term perspective of the relationship.

In his meeting with Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vuong Dinh Hue, Xi said the two sides should ensure sound steering of the bilateral relationship, advance practical cooperation and properly managing problems and differences.

Upon arriving at the National Assembly Building, Xi was warmly greeted by Hue and Vietnamese people from different quarters.

Xi noted that China and Vietnam share the same political system, similar aspirations and philosophies and an intertwined future. Relations with each other hold a special place in their respective party-to-party and state-to-state relations.

Over the past 73 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, he said, the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam has been further enriched through mutual support and assistance in the struggle for national independence and liberation, and further deepened as the two sides move forward comprehensive strategic cooperation to advance the socialist causes.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam, Xi said, adding the announcement that he and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong made on Tuesday to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance sends a positive message of solidarity, friendship and common development between China and Vietnam as two socialist countries.

Xi highlighted the need for the two sides to, under the new circumstances, move forward on the path of friendship and cooperation from the strategic and long-term perspective of the relationship.

First, ensuring sound steering of the bilateral relationship. It is important to take stock of the fine traditions and good practices in bilateral relations, step up high-level strategic communication, share experience on the governance of parties and countries, explore ways to enrich the theories and practices of socialist development, uphold common strategic interests, and keep the bilateral relationship on the right track, he noted.

Second, advancing practical cooperation. Both China and Vietnam are at a critical stage in their reform and development. There are both inherent advantages and realistic needs for mutually beneficial cooperation, he said. The two sides need to deliver on the outcomes of the visit, strengthen cooperation in such areas as connectivity, industrial and supply chains and green economy, and increase the two peoples' sense of benefit, Xi added.

Third, properly managing problems and differences. It is important to translate the understandings and desires of the leadership of the two parties and countries into concrete actions, advance cooperation while managing differences, and steadily take forward maritime cooperation, especially joint development, he continued.