S. Korea, China hold annual public diplomacy forum amid THAAD row

South Korea and China held a joint forum on public diplomacy Thursday aimed at expanding exchanges between their people amid recently strained ties over Seoul's move to install a US missile defense system on its soil.

The forum deemed to be a "1.5 track" event was held on this southern resort island, led by South Korea's public diplomacy envoy Park Enna and former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Private-sector experts from diverse areas also attended the gathering.

It has been held annually since their leaders met in 2013 and agreed to promote mutual understanding between their people.

This year's forum, the fifth of its kind, came as South Korea and China are set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties on Aug. 24.

The relations, however, have been faced with a major challenge as the two neighbors remain at odds over South Korea's decision in July last year to allow the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery in its territory.

Seoul and Washington unveiled the plan, saying that it is intended to better defend against inbound missiles from North Korea. Beijing has been adamantly opposed to the move, claiming that it is part of the US missile defense system that will hurt its strategic security interest.

The forum is seen as one of just a few joint events between the two countries at a time when the friction over the THAAD system seems to be intensifying.

"I think friends refer to relations in which each understands and respects different views, not to agree on everything. In particular, they are supposed to help each other when the other side is in trouble," Park told the forum in her opening speech.

"At a time when the security (of the other) is in jeopardy, they are those who have to help get over the challenge. It appears to be a time for South Korea and China as well to advance their relations to those of genuine friends that help each other get over difficulties," she added. (Yonhap)