BEIJING - China and Vietnam pledged to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through consultations and negotiations on Monday.

The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Vietnamese Vice Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh.

"China is willing to work with Vietnam to firmly safeguard the two countries' common strategic interests and overall relations as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea by strengthening communication and consultation as well as preventing outside provocation that could spoil the two countries' relations," Liang said.

"China opposes complicating and internationalizing the issue of the South China Sea and insists on resolving disputes through consultations and negotiations," Liang added.

"Currently, both sides should make efforts to actively promote joint development, increase mutual trust through cooperation, and enhance stability by increasing mutual trust," he said.

Nguyen Chi Vinh said Vietnam attaches great importance to developing a comprehensive strategic partnership with China and hopes to work with China to strengthen communication and cooperation in all areas between the two countries and their militaries so as to safeguard regional peace and stability.

He said the two countries should resolve disputes in the South China Sea through mutual trust and friendly consultations, and not allow any outside forces to spoil Vietnam-China relations by intervening in the disputes.