Preparatory talks on maritime border to be held with S. Korea

China and South Korea achieved a breakthrough in their long-stalled maritime border issues by holding a preparatory consultation on Thursday that should pave the way for talks on drawing a maritime border.

Observers hailed the meeting as an achievement, since it is expected to lay a foundation for the more substantial negotiations, and set principles, a road map and a schedule for the talks.

Officials from both countries' foreign ministries gathered in Shanghai in the run-up to the negotiations on drawing the maritime border to resolve issues stemming from overlapping exclusive economic zones, said Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.