SINGAPORE -- A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) general said here Friday that China and Vietnam can properly handle the South China Sea issue through joint efforts.

When meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Vice Chief of Staff of the PLA Sun Jianguo said the two countries have expanded their cooperation in various fields and advanced their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership since they forged diplomatic ties 65 years ago.

"China is willing to join hands with Vietnam to inject impetus to the ties between the two militaries," he said.

Sun hoped the Vietnamese side should have a clear understanding about the motives of countries outside the region trying to meddle in the issue.

Sun believed through concerted efforts, the two neighbors can properly address the South China Sea dispute.

Vinh, for his part, said the Vietnamese and Chinese militaries have conducted exchanges in border control and will continue to cooperate in strategic dialogue, personnel training and peacekeeping missions.

Vietnam is ready to exchange views with China in a comrade way on the South China Sea issue, resolve their difference through consultations and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

Organized by the Britain-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Shangri-La Dialogue, widely recognized as Asia-Pacific's foremost defense and security summit, brings together defense ministers, senior officials and security experts to exchange views on key issues that shape the defense and security landscape of the region.