BEIJING, March 30 (UPI) -- Chinese Defense Minister General Cao Gangchuan met with his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Kwang-ung, Wednesday, according to state-run media reports.
Cao says China hopes to maintain friendly military exchanges in a bid to promote the comprehensive development of Sino-South Korean relations. He reportedly reiterated China's stance on the issue of the Korean Peninsula, expressing his country's readiness to enhance coordination with relevant parties to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
Cao Gangchuan is a vice-chairman of the Communist Party and the national government Central Military Commissions, parallel institutions that have the final say on the use of force by China.
Yoon was quoted by Xinhua, the government-run news agency, as saying South Korea and China share common interests in maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity. He said he hopes the two countries as well as their armies can further deepen exchanges and cooperation.
The South Korean defense minister briefed Cao on his country's views on the regional security situation and its stance and policy concerning the North Korea dispute.
Yoon arrived in Beijing Wednesday morning at Cao's invitation.
