By Kang Seung-woo
Chinese scholars here said on Saturday that Korea needs to build relations with China in terms of defense.
In addition, they said that it is time for China to change its stance on North Korea.
At a forum, held by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Li Wei, associate professor of Renmin University of China said "When President Xi Jinping visits Korea next year, Korea is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with China and this is expected to boost negotiations on an FTA between China, Japan and Korea.
"In terms of security issues, Korea appears not to understand China. Both countries need to find out what their common interests are and expand cooperation on security issues," said Zhang Xiao of the National Development and Reform Commission.
Liu Qun of the National Defense University said: "Korea and China need to exchange research manpower."
He added that if traditional cooperation of national security is not possible, they had better establish a platform for a non-traditional point of contact.
Another scholar speaking at the same event said that China and South Korea should send out a clear message that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons program.
"South Korea and China need to be placed in position not to tolerate North Korea's nuclear-oriented policy in order to maintain its regime," said Gong Keyu of Shanghai Institute for International Studies.
Li Yang from the University of International Business and Economics said that Xi is not likely to change China's stance on North Korea, as under Mao Zedong, and that China needs to reconsider its relations with Pyongyang.
"Given that China is criticized for not influencing North Korea in the international community, Chinese scholars should think about how to deal with North Korea unlike in the past," he said.
Zhao Hao of the China Center for Contemporary World Studies said it is noteworthy that China joined the North Korea sanctions and that South Korea should acknowledge this effort from China.
"I hope South Korea will see the need for smart diplomacy between China and the United States," he said.
The forum was held to focus on academic exchanges and build up a network between Korean and Chinese scholars. This is the second straight year that a forum is being held.
This year's forum focused on the future relations between South Korea and China, North Korea and the role of the U.S. in Northeast Asia.
China is North Korea's major ally and No. 1 trading partner to South Korea.
Chinese scholars here said on Saturday that Korea needs to build relations with China in terms of defense.
In addition, they said that it is time for China to change its stance on North Korea.
At a forum, held by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, Li Wei, associate professor of Renmin University of China said "When President Xi Jinping visits Korea next year, Korea is likely to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with China and this is expected to boost negotiations on an FTA between China, Japan and Korea.
"In terms of security issues, Korea appears not to understand China. Both countries need to find out what their common interests are and expand cooperation on security issues," said Zhang Xiao of the National Development and Reform Commission.
Liu Qun of the National Defense University said: "Korea and China need to exchange research manpower."
He added that if traditional cooperation of national security is not possible, they had better establish a platform for a non-traditional point of contact.
Another scholar speaking at the same event said that China and South Korea should send out a clear message that North Korea must abandon its nuclear weapons program.
"South Korea and China need to be placed in position not to tolerate North Korea's nuclear-oriented policy in order to maintain its regime," said Gong Keyu of Shanghai Institute for International Studies.
Li Yang from the University of International Business and Economics said that Xi is not likely to change China's stance on North Korea, as under Mao Zedong, and that China needs to reconsider its relations with Pyongyang.
"Given that China is criticized for not influencing North Korea in the international community, Chinese scholars should think about how to deal with North Korea unlike in the past," he said.
Zhao Hao of the China Center for Contemporary World Studies said it is noteworthy that China joined the North Korea sanctions and that South Korea should acknowledge this effort from China.
"I hope South Korea will see the need for smart diplomacy between China and the United States," he said.
The forum was held to focus on academic exchanges and build up a network between Korean and Chinese scholars. This is the second straight year that a forum is being held.
This year's forum focused on the future relations between South Korea and China, North Korea and the role of the U.S. in Northeast Asia.
China is North Korea's major ally and No. 1 trading partner to South Korea.
![[INTERVIEW] South Korea needs to make decision on sending lethal aid to Ukraine : CNAS CEO](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/a2180e54d7664819812514cc3d605dd5.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Foreign-born entertainers seek to revolutionize local industry](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/4a6b2bd3d23044d699dee3c5bb956863.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Ahn Jae-hong on playing underdog basketball coach in 'Rebound'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fe381342632c46bfa6d3245cb475676e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
