BEIJING, Oct. 21 -- Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe on Wednesday held phone talks with Suh Wook, defense minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Wei said that China and ROK are important neighbors and cooperative partners to each other, Chinese President Xi Jinping and ROK President Moon Jae-in have met and held phone talks for many times in recent years, leading all-round and rapid development of the China-ROK relations.

"China is willing to work with the ROK to implement important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, deepen the China-ROK strategic partnership of cooperation to a new height, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability, " stressed Wei.

Wei suggested the armed forces of the two countries should continue to strengthen pragmatic cooperation in the areas of high-level contact, epidemic prevention and control, exchange of visits by naval ships, as well as the maritime and air liaison, pushing the further development of the mil-to-mil relations between the two countries.

The Chinese defense chief also expressed in the phone talks China’s position on issues including the international situation, Sino-American relations and the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Hailing the efforts and remarkable achievements made by Chinese government and Chinese military in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, Suh Wook noted that China-ROK cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 sets an example for the world. "ROK stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation with China, continue to promote bilateral defense relations and make joint efforts with China in maintaining the stability in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia," Suh Wook said.