Cho Hyeon: “Peace on the Korean Peninsula is in the common interest of Korea and China”… Wang Yi: “Relationship improvement is on track”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun said on the 13th that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are in the common interest of Korea and China, and emphasized strengthening strategic communication between the two countries to advance the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi evaluated that Korea-China relations have returned to the normal track of improvement and development and expressed his intention to continue high-level exchanges between the two countries.

The two ministers expressed their expectations for the meeting between the leaders of the two countries at the Shenzhen Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week in opening remarks at the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, China, this afternoon.

Minister Cho said, “The Korean Peninsula issue is a vital interest of the Republic of Korea, and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are the common interests of both countries,” and added, “I look forward to continuing to strengthen strategic communication between the two countries to advance the situation on the Korean Peninsula.”

He continued, "I expect that the leaders of the two countries will meet again in Shenzhen next week for the first time in 10 months and create an important opportunity to further develop the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership to a more mature level. I hope that the story of friendship and trust between the two leaders that started in Gyeongju will continue through Beijing to Shenzhen, and that the relationship between Korea and China will become even stronger."

Minister Cho evaluated that Korea-China relations have solidified the trend of full restoration following the mutual state visits by the leaders of the two countries in November of last year and January of this year.

He said, “This year, people-to-people exchanges between Korea and China are expected to exceed 10 million,” and “trade between Korea and China has also increased by more than 40%.”

He continued, “This is the result of close communication and joint efforts between the two governments to implement the common recognition between the leaders of the two countries to restore comprehensive relations.”

Minister Cho added that he looks forward to discussions that will help ensure a successful meeting between the leaders of the two countries next week through this meeting.

Director Wang said, "With the successful mutual visits between President Xi Jinping and President Lee Jae-myung at the end of last year and early this year, China-ROK relations have returned to the normal track of improvement and development."

He added, "It is very necessary to prepare for the next level of high-level contact," and added, "With the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Korea next year, the two countries should work together to develop the strategic cooperative partnership on the right track."

Director Wang predicted that the amount of trade between the two countries will hit an all-time high this year, and that human traffic will also recover to the level of 10 million people per year.

He said that President Lee and the leaders of several member countries have confirmed to attend the Shenzhen APEC summit next week, and evaluated that Korea successfully hosted the Gyeongju APEC summit last year.

He said, "As China and South Korea hold APEC meetings one after another, we must join hands and jointly promote the construction of an Asia-Pacific community to promote joint development and prosperity in the region."

Director Wang also highly praised Korea's active participation and contribution in China's preparations for hosting APEC, and expressed expectations that the Shenzhen Summit will provide new impetus to the relationship between the two countries.

This is the first meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in about three months since Wang's visit to Seoul last August.

At this meeting, the two ministers are expected to discuss issues of common interest, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, along with preparations for a meeting between leaders ahead of the APEC summit in Shenzhen next week.

In addition, the issue of structures installed by China in the West Sea and the Korea-Korea Decree issue are also mentioned as topics of discussion.