Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, the relationship between the two countries, Korea and China, has focused on the exchange of economy, trade, society, and culture. But it is now gradually expanding to politics, diplomacy, and security.
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Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, the relationship between the two countries, Korea and China, has focused on the exchange of economy, trade, society, and culture. But it is now gradually expanding to politics, diplomacy, and security.
The Korea-China trade has became 145 billion dollar at last year. It is about 23 times of 6.3 billion dollar which was the first year volume of trade.
The China is growing up the only country to struggle for supremacy of the world against U.S.A. after Beijing olympics. Because of the geographical position Korea will feel the effect of China more and more deeply by its continuing buildup of national power. Therefore, the friendly relations with China contributes to the peace of the Korea Peninsular through the denuclearization, six-nation talks and the stability on the northeast Asia.
At this juncture, South Korea and China agreed to elevate their bilateral relations from the existing comprehensive and cooperative partnership to a "strategic and cooperative partnership" during summit. Under the new strategic partnership agreement, the two countries have cooperative partnership even if not alliance in military area and will widen bilateral cooperation beyond two-way diplomacy, politics, economy, culture and environment to cover global diplomatic and future-oriented issues. On top of cooperation for the advancement of bilateral relations, the two countries will engage in close consultations to deal with issues in Northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, and global matters of mutual concern as well.
Since 1992 when the two countries established diplomatic relations, the label has developed from "relations of friendship and cooperation" in 1998 to "cooperative partnership" in 2000 to "comprehensive, cooperative partnership" in 2003.
On the other hand, the military area has changed very slowly due to mutual suspicion and the political issues such as south Korea-US, the north Korea-China Alliance, Northeast Asia Project and perception of history such as Northeast Asia Project.
The new partnership makes two countries more cooperative according to the political policy like cases of military cooperation with Rusia or India.
Accordingly, the military hot-line must be opened and cooperative sea search and rescue training has to go through as soon as possible. And it is necessary to increase the frequency of visits between high-ranking officials of the two countries and launch regular dialogue between their diplomats. In addition, closer military cooperation has to be sought by increasing visits and dialogue among high-ranking officials.
Korea-China military relationship should grow up concrete long-term strategic cooperative partnership through improving mutual trust which comes from sharing the direction of the military policy and the defence expenditures, and harmonizing Korea-China partnership and Korea-US alliance. As a necessary consequence, the two countries will engage in close consultations to deal with issues in Northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, and global matters of mutual concern as well.