Li noted that in his talks with Vietnamese Premier Nguyen Tan Dung, they agreed to build three work groups respectively on maritime exploration, onshore infrastructure and financial cooperation, which are expected to start their work within this year.

The cooperation of maritime exploration will be primarily focused on the Beibu Gulf, and later extended to further areas, Li said, adding that the bilateral drive is to tell the region and the world that the South China Sea has to be a peaceful and tranquil area.

Both China and Vietnam have the wisdom to properly handle their differences and prevent the South China Sea issue from disrupting the overall cooperation, Li said.

With regards to onshore infrastructure and financial cooperation, Li said the two sides will push forward such cooperation in a more effective and vigorous way.

"We're going to implement the important consensus, with efforts from the Vietnamese side, in a bid to work for benefiting bilateral, regional and world people," he said.

Li also answered a question from the press corps on China's economy.

The Chinese government released the consumer price index (CPI) in September and the increase was within the controllable range, Li said, adding that China will be able to control this year's CPI increase at a level of some 3.5 percent.

"The major economic targets can be reached and the good momentum of China's economic growth will be kept," Li said.

The long, sustained and healthy growth of the Chinese economy will benefit the whole nation, Li said.

"We are bravely and resolutely continuing to restructure our economy, realize sustained and healthy growth, and let people enjoy real benefits," Li said.