Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming: "Xi Jinping's Position Is to Visit Korea First Once COVID Stabilizes"

King on Foreign Minister's Visit to Korea: "If There Is a Visit, the Foreign Ministry Will Announce"
Regarding Korean Peninsula Policy, Emphasizes "Peace, Dialogue, and Denuclearization Are China's Consistent Position"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, reiterated that once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be the first to visit South Korea.

On this day, Ambassador Xing told reporters at the "High-Level Seminar on China in the New Era and the Future Prospects of Korea-China Relations," hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Korea, "Once COVID-19 stabilizes, South Korea has been designated as the first country to visit," adding, "This has not changed." The government has been pushing for President Xi's visit within the year, but due to the COVID-19 situation in Korea, discussions are ongoing.

Regarding the timing of Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister's visit to Korea, Ambassador Xing said, "If there is an important visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will make an announcement." When asked whether China recognizes the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration, he explained, "The Foreign Ministry spokesperson congratulated Biden. However, since the United States is undergoing legal procedures, we will handle it according to international conventions."

He stated that China's policy on the Korean Peninsula will remain steady after the inauguration of the new U.S. administration. Ambassador Xing said, "Peace, dialogue, and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula are China's consistent positions," adding, "We will continue to pursue this direction. Since the joint interests of China and Korea contribute to regional peace and world peace, China's stance will not change."

Earlier, in his keynote speech at the seminar, Ambassador Xing said, "China advocates the spirit of not underestimating a country because it is small and not confronting a country because it is strong," emphasizing, "the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, is not suitable for modern international society." He further stressed, "Non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, cooperation, and win-win are the only appropriate ways for countries to coexist."

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