China, ROK agree to establish strategic defense dialogue
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Xinhua, July 16, 2011
China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) agreed on Friday to establish a strategic defense dialogue mechanism in order to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation and increase mutual trust and understanding between the two nations.
The agreement was announced in a joint press communique issued Friday amid the ROK's National Defense Minister Kim Kuan Jin's China visit.
According to the communique, the dialogue will take place every other year in the form of mutual visits, with the first round of dialogues set to be held this month.
The two sides reached a series of agreements, including one that will establish joint short-term education program for younger officers in both countries' armies, the communique said.
Both sides voiced their commitment to firmly oppose any actions that might jeopardize peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and expressed their hope that concerned parties will promote cooperation and expand understanding in the matter, the communique said.
China and the ROK both agreed in the communique to step up cooperation in peacekeeping, disaster relief, humanitarian aid and anti-piracy campaigns, particularly those that are taking place in the Gulf of Aden and waters around Somalia.
Kim arrived in Beijing on Thursday for his first visit to China after being appointed as the ROK's defense minister last year.
During his visit, Kim met with State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Chief of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Staff Chen Bingde. He is also scheduled to visit a number of military facilities.
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