Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met with Baek Seung-joo, vice defense minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK), in Beijing on Thursday.

Baek has just attended the fourth bilateral strategic talks between the two armed forces in Beijing.

Chang said China and the ROK are important neighbors to each others.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the ROK earlier this month, the two sides reached consensus on many important subjects, pointing the direction for the future development of bilateral ties as well as military ties, he said.

China is ready to work with the ROK to increase pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two armed forces, so as to safeguard regional peace and stability, according to Chang.

Baek said the defense talks have achieved fruitful results and that defense cooperation between the two sides is conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity.

He also invited Chang to visit the ROK at his convenience.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2014)