Vietnam's Communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong has begun a five-day visit to China that comes just weeks after both sides agreed to speed up negotiations to ease rising military tensions in the South China Sea.

Hours after Mr. Trong's arrival in Beijing, China's official Xinhua news agency said Mr. Trong and Chinese President Hu Jintao “spoke positively” about resolving disputes over competing claims to territories thought to be rich in oil and mineral deposits. The report said the two leaders agreed to maintain direct communications, in a push to prevent further naval confrontations like those recently reported in the region. It also said Mr. Hu presented a five-point proposal for cooperation and that Mr. Trong was in full agreement with the offering. No details were published.

President Hu also said that a stable and healthy growth of bilateral links is “in the basic interests of both countries and is of great significance for peace and development in Asia and the world.”

Vietnam has complained in recent months that on at least two occasions Chinese naval vessels have interfered with oil and gas exploration in waters claimed by Hanoi as part of its exclusive economic zone.

China claimed its actions were justified because it holds sovereignty over the entire South China Sea.

The Philippines has also complained of Chinese interference, and both Hanoi and Manila have sought and received U.S. support in the dispute.

Chinese state media said last month that both sides voiced desire to find a peaceful resolution to the increasingly bitter dispute. Xinhua said any deal easing the standoff would comply with international law and a 2002 declaration of conduct by countries of the region.