On April 13, 2012, Chinese Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Xi Jinping met with Vietnamese army chief Do Ba Ty and his delegation.

During the meeting, Xi said the China-Vietnam friendship was created and fostered by older generations of leaders from both countries. Since the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam in 1991, bilateral ties have made progress as exchanges and cooperation in the areas of politics, economy, culture and military bear great fruits based on the principle of "long-term stability, future-orientation, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners". Xi stressed that appropriate resolution of two major issues -- demarcation of land borders and maritime borders in the Beibu Gulf -- has brought tangible benefits to the two countries. Relations between the militaries of the two countries have seen steady growth in recent years, Xi said, adding that this had not only contributed to the development of national defense and the armed forces of both countries, but also promoted the development of China's comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam.

Noting that both China and Vietnam share identical social systems, similar ideals and connected destinies, Xi emphasized that these factors constituted a unique advantage for advancing practical cooperation and were conducive to properly addressing disputes between the two countries. "In the face of a complex and ever-changing international situation, the two sides should join forces and work to retain the correct direction in expanding bilateral relations, actively bring benefits to the two peoples, and maintain peace, stability and development in the region and the world," Xi said.

Ty expressed gratitude to Xi for taking time off his busy schedule to meet with him and conveyed the cordial greetings of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Vietnamese state leaders to the CPC and Chinese state leaders. He said the Vietnamese people always cherished the support and assistance that China offered them in the causes of national liberalization and socialist construction. He added that Vietnam greatly treasured the tradition of friendship with China. Ty said the Vietnamese side had always placed importance in and remained committed to expanding the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. He said the Vietnamese side was ready to work with China to firmly safeguard the Vietnam-China friendship, properly handle disputes and make joint efforts to promote peace, stability and development. Ty added that the militaries should further strengthen cooperation so as to maintain the general situation of bilateral ties.

Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, attended the meeting.