Korea-China 'Simplified Entry Procedures for Businesspeople' Plan Proposed... "High-Level Exchanges Also Proceeding as Scheduled"

Vice Minister Jo Se-young and Lu Weiqing, Chinese Deputy Director-General, Hold Video Talks, Agree to Expedite Practical-Level Discussions for 'Ensuring Essential Economic Activities'
Agreement Reached to Proceed with President Xi Jinping's Visit to Korea as Scheduled This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 17th, Cho Se-young, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a video consultation with Luo Yucheng, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, to discuss mutual interests such as cooperation in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Korea-China relations, and the Korean Peninsula issue. They agreed to proceed with Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned visit to Korea this year as scheduled.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 18th, both Korea and China evaluated the international community's response trends to COVID-19 and agreed that strengthening cooperation between the two countries is essential to overcoming the global COVID-19 crisis. They also agreed that each side should actively contribute by sharing necessary experiences and providing supplies to the international community.

Vice Minister Cho introduced the Korean government's proactive response measures and achievements based on openness, transparency, and democratic principles, while Vice Minister Luo introduced China's epidemic prevention achievements and recent socio-economic normalization status. Both sides also expected that the mutual support of epidemic prevention supplies and the sending of encouragement messages between the Korean and Chinese governments and private sectors, which have continued, would serve as a valuable foundation for enhancing friendship and developing relations between the two countries.

In particular, they agreed to establish a simplified entry procedure for businesspeople. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "Both sides agreed to establish a ‘fast track (simplified entry procedure for businesspeople)’ to ensure essential economic activities while continuing Korea-China cooperation in response to COVID-19," adding, "They agreed to continue consultations at the working level for prompt implementation as much as possible."

Furthermore, both sides agreed to continue communication at all levels regarding the promotion of high-level exchanges scheduled for this year to jointly overcome the COVID-19 situation and develop bilateral relations to a higher level.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "Both sides also agreed to continue consultations on the promotion of exchanges at all levels, including high-level exchanges scheduled for this year," and added, "They shared recent assessments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation between Korea and China for substantial progress in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.