BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese military official Zhang Shengmin on Wednesday called for stronger practical cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese militaries.

Zhang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phan Van Giang, who is in Beijing to attend the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

Zhang said the Chinese and Vietnamese militaries should, guided by the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, coordinate positions and enhance cooperation on major security issues in a timely manner, and work together to address global challenges.

Zhang also called for continued efforts to take bilateral cooperation to a new level.

Giang said Vietnam stands ready to work with China to advance more practical and effective defense and security cooperation.

China and Vietnam enjoy a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. In March, the first ministerial meeting of the China-Vietnam "3+3" strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security was held in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, followed by the 10th China-Vietnam border defense friendship exchange.