BEIJING -- China and Vietnam should uphold the principles of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and work together to oppose unilateralism and protectionism, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

Both sides should safeguard the global free trade system and keep the industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, he said.

Xi made the remarks when holding talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam, who is on a state visit to China.