Beijing, Sep 21 (IANS): China Friday vowed to resolve its differences with neighbours concerning territorial rights through friendly negotiations.

China will be more determined to pursue peaceful development, and implement the policy of building friendship, Vice President Xi Jinping said at the China-ASEAN summit in Nanning city.

"We are firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and are committed to resolving differences with neighbours concerning territorial land, territorial sea and maritime rights and interests peacefully," Xi said.

"Having gone through numerous vicissitudes in modern times, we are deeply aware of the importance of development and peace," Xinhua quoted him as saying.

"Despite many difficulties and challenges, Asia has on the whole maintained the momentum of a fairly rapid growth," the Chinese leader added.

China and the ASEAN, as strategic partners, need to size up the situation and work together to deepen cooperation for sustained development, he said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.