ARF delegates call for closer military relations

ARF delegates call for closer military relations

CHINA: Delegates to a meeting of Asia's biggest security grouping called on Friday for closer military cooperation amid concerns over terrorism and North Korea's nuclear program.

The gathering of military officials from 24 governments in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is meant to "open new channels of dialog and exchange among defense officials", said its chairman, Indonesian Deputy Defense Minister Sudrajat.

The three-day meeting in Beijing brings together the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and countries with interests in the region, including the United States, China, Japan, India, Russia, the two Koreas, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand.

Delegates plan to take up "the role of the armed forces in coming days in combating regional threats", said Chinese envoy Gen. Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army.

"It is our common mission to maintain regional peace and stability, to strengthen trust among militaries and promote cooperation among countries and capabilities to properly meet the challenges and changes," said Xiong. -- AP