Seoul - China and South Korea agreed Monday to begin a high-level strategic dialogue aimed at strengthening political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

South Korean President Lee Myung Bak and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, also announced plans to for an exchange programme for military officers.

In a joint statement, both presidents stressed their commitment to full implementation of the international agreements to end North Korea's nuclear weapons' programme.

In June, North Korea presented a detailed list of its nuclear facilities and stockpile. But South Korea, China, and the other members of the six-party talks - the United States, Russia and Japan - are still waiting for Pyongyang to agree to verification of its nuclear disarmament.

The two countries on Monday also signed agreements to cooperate on energy saving and the fight against desertification, as well as information technology and education.

During Lee's visit to Beijing in May, he and Hu agreed to a strategic partnership, raising the bilateral relationship to a new level. (dpa)