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South Korea and China will establish military hot lines between their Navy and Air Forces. A Chinese source on Wednesday said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will sign a joint statement with President Roh Moo-hyun to that effect during an official visit to Seoul which begins on April 10.
The Chinese source, who requested anonymity, described establishment of the hotlines the initial step in bilateral military cooperation, predicting it will help prevent clashes between the two countries over illegal fishing in the West Sea. The official said the two countries will also sign an agreement on joint maritime search and rescue efforts if there are plane crashes and shipwrecks. The hotlines and joint rescue drills were proposed in Korea-China defense ministerial talks in Seoul last April, but China delayed a decision in consideration of its relationships with North Korea.
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The 196th brigade of the Chinese People¡¯s Liberation Army stand to attention with their bayonets during a drill.
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According to the source, China will also reaffirm its support for inter-Korean reconciliation and ultimately a unified Korea. In return, South Korea will promise to support the ¡°one-China¡± policy and oppose the independence of Taiwan, the source said. Experts in Chinese affairs say China is moving to consolidate its military and diplomatic relations with South Korea with signs of rapid improvements in U.S.-North Korea relations after a Feb. 13. six-nation agreement on the North¡¯s nuclear program.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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