Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnam's new leader To Lam have vowed to deepen bilateral ties as socialist nations.

China's Foreign Ministry says Xi held talks with Lam, who is the general secretary of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party, in Beijing on Monday. This is Lam's first foreign trip after he was elected to the country's top position on August 3 to succeed Nguyen Phu Trong, who died in July.

The ministry quoted Xi as saying that China views Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. Xi also stressed that the two countries must maintain their traditional friendship and adhere to their Communist parties' leadership and the socialist path.

Lam said Vietnam regards China as the top priority in its foreign policy.

Hanoi places importance on economic relations with Beijing, although the two sides remain at odds over territorial rights in the South China Sea. Vietnam is also seeking to enhance cooperation with Japan and the United States.