First In-Person China-South Korea Foreign Ministers Meeting in a Year, Wang Yi Says "Xi Jinping to Visit Korea Once COVID Stabilizes"

Holding of Korea-China Foreign Ministers Meeting
Korea explains 'Northeast Asia Quarantine and Health Cooperation Framework' plan, Wang Committee "Active Support"
Agreed to continue cooperation for the early holding of Korea-China-Japan Summit Meeting

On the 26th, Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, entered the conference room to hold talks with Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 26th, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting and luncheon with Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, exchanging views on mutual interests including Korea-China bilateral relations covering cooperation in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), exchanges at the presidential and high-level levels, promotion of friendly sentiments, practical cooperation, as well as Korean Peninsula denuclearization and other Korean Peninsula and international issues.

Both ministers emphasized that despite difficulties caused by COVID-19 this year, the two countries have maintained communication through various means such as telephone calls between their respective presidents and foreign ministers. They evaluated that efficient quarantine cooperation cases, including the establishment of fast-track channels, were created, and economic cooperation between the two countries was smoothly maintained despite the global economic downturn.

The ministers agreed on the necessity to continue expanding human exchanges between the two countries through measures such as maintaining quarantine measures amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation, expanding fast-track channels, and increasing flights.

Minister Kang said, "While maintaining each country's quarantine measures, let us cooperate more actively so that the entry of each other's nationals into the counterpart country can be smoother," to which State Councilor Wang responded, "Let us closely cooperate to ensure that various efforts to promote human exchanges between the two sides can continue even amid the COVID-19 situation."

Minister Kang explained Korea's concept of the 'Northeast Asia Quarantine and Health Cooperation Body,' and State Councilor Wang expressed strong support, saying that the two sides should maintain close communication regarding the promotion of the cooperation body.

Furthermore, both ministers shared the recognition of the importance of exchanges at the presidential and high-level levels for the development of Korea-China relations and agreed to further promote such exchanges. The Chinese side reconfirmed President Xi Jinping's willingness to visit Korea, and both sides agreed to actively communicate to ensure that President Xi's visit can take place promptly once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and conditions are met.

Subsequently, both sides reaffirmed the increasing necessity of cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan amid changes in COVID-19 and the fluid regional and international situation, and agreed to continue cooperating for the prompt holding of the Korea-China-Japan summit. In particular, both sides agreed to actively operate various dialogue channels between their foreign ministries and revitalize exchange projects. To this end, they agreed to mutually consult to hold the Korea-China Vice Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue, Korea-China Humanities Exchange Promotion Committee, and Korea-China Maritime Affairs Cooperation Dialogue (at the director-general level) in the near future.

Meanwhile, both ministers agreed on the importance of continuous efforts to promote mutual understanding and friendly sentiments between the peoples of the two countries for the long-term and stable development of bilateral relations, and agreed to maintain close communication for this purpose. They also shared the recognition that expanding exchanges and cooperation in fields such as culture, economy, environment, and history is vital for the development of bilateral relations, and agreed to carry out various cooperative projects by sector.

Minister Kang requested more active cooperation from the Chinese side to revitalize cooperation in the cultural content sector between the two countries, and State Councilor Wang expressed hope for continued communication between the two sides. Additionally, Minister Kang conveyed that they had reached a principle agreement to launch the Korea-China Future Development Committee to prepare a roadmap indicating the direction of Korea-China relations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations in 2022, and suggested conducting detailed consultations for the committee's launch.

Moreover, both ministers agreed to promote joint investigations for the preservation and commemoration of Cheon In-gang and to continue communication and cooperation in this regard. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in environmental fields such as fine dust and to continue necessary communication regarding the P4G summit scheduled for next year.

Regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, they agreed to maintain close communication. Both ministers shared the view that close communication and cooperation between the two sides should continue to manage the Korean Peninsula situation stably and to advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

The ministers shared evaluations and positions on various regional and international issues and exchanged opinions on ways to contribute to international efforts such as COVID-19 response, economic recovery, and maintaining peace and stability in the region. They agreed to communicate and cooperate more closely on regional and international issues going forward.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "This Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting was the 11th meeting between the two ministers and the first face-to-face meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic. The two ministers exchanged broad and in-depth views on mutual interests," adding, "Such close communication between the foreign ministers of the two countries is evaluated to have contributed to solidifying the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership and achieving the future-oriented development of Korea-China relations agreed upon by the two presidents."

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