Minister's ROK visit 'to pave way for hotline'

Defense Minister Chang Wanquan began a three-day official visit to the Republic of Korea on Tuesday, a trip that observers said will help to strengthen stability in Northeast Asia.

Chang, making the first visit to the ROK by a Chinese defense minister since 2006, is scheduled to take part in a meeting with his ROK counterpart Han Min-koo on Wednesday.

Yonhap News Agency quoted an ROK military official as saying the meeting agenda will include setting up a military hotline between the two ministers. China will be only the second country that has such a hotline with the ROK, after the United States.