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