China and South Korea to work together for denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula
- Agreement follows first vice-ministerial meeting in five years
China and South Korea agreed on Monday to make a joint effort to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula as they resumed bilateral high-level defence talks – suspended since 2014 when tensions emerged over Seoul’s plans to allow deployment of a US anti-missile system, Yonhap News Agency said.
Lieutenant General Shao Yuanming, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, met South Korean defence vice-minister Park Jae-min in Beijing and both sides agreed to deepen bilateral ties, Yonhap said.
The dialogue took place on the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum, a three-day gathering on Asia-Pacific security and defence which started on Sunday.
The defence ministry in Seoul said the two countries shared the view that “China’s constructive role, along with South Korea’s efforts, is crucial for the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and the establishment of a permanent peace”, Yonhap reported.
“For peace and stability in Northeast Asia, the two sides need to strengthen their strategic communication,” it said, citing a release by the South Korean defence ministry.
It added that both sides agreed to push for the high-level visits to each other’s country by defence ministers and to set up more hotlines between their air forces and navies.