BEIJING, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam agreed to find a "basic and lasting" solution acceptable by both, said a joint statement issued on Saturday in Beijing.

    The two sides reaffirmed to observe the consensus by both and the spirit of the Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, to keep in place the negotiation mechanism on this issue, and try to find a basic and lasting solution accepted by both in accordance with the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea in 1982.

    Meanwhile, the two sides pledged to consult on finding a proper area and way of making joint exploration, said the statement.

    The two sides would join hands to safeguard stability of the South China Sea, not take any action that would complicate or escalate disputes, said the statement.

    The two sides agreed, in the principle of starting from the simpler step, to collaborate on oceanic research, environmental protection, meteorological and hydrological forecast, oil exploration, and information exchanges by the two armed forces.