South Korean and Chinese Foreign Ministers "Strive for Development of Korea-China Relations and Korean Peninsula Peace Process" (Comprehensive)

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, shake hands before starting the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the 3rd at the Haiwei Hotel in Xiamen, China. Xiamen (China) = Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The foreign ministers of South Korea and China agreed to work together to promote the peace process on the Korean Peninsula and to strive for the development of bilateral relations during a foreign ministers' meeting held for the first time in over four months.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met at the Haiwei Hotel in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, holding the Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting after more than four months. Both ministers spoke in unison about the need for South Korea and China to jointly work toward advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, including issues related to North Korea's nuclear program. They also highly evaluated the current cooperation between the two countries and agreed to make further efforts to develop bilateral relations ahead of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations next year.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated, "Strategic communication between Korea and China is important and has taken place at a very timely moment." He described the two countries as "eternal neighbors" and noted that since last year, the two nations have jointly responded to COVID-19 by opening a fast-track channel for personnel exchanges, which helped endure the hardships of the pandemic and strengthened solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Wang mentioned that this year is the Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange and next year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and China. He said, "Bilateral relations are facing an important opportunity for deepened development, and China will work with Korea to achieve new progress in Korea-China relations during this opportunity."

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are meeting for the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the afternoon of the 3rd at the Haiway Hotel in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. Xiamen (China) = Yonhap News Agency

He explained, "Korea and China are important countries in the region and strategic cooperative partners, sharing common or similar positions on safeguarding regional peace and stability, promoting joint development, and global governance security." He added, "We advocate openness and inclusiveness and uphold cooperation and mutual benefit," and stated, "We will work with Korea to promote a political resolution process for the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue."

Minister Wang also appeared to target the United States, saying, "Together, we will uphold the international situation centered on the United Nations," and added, "We hope to maintain the international order based on international law, jointly protect multilateralism, and expand our common interests."

In response, South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong evaluated that despite the difficult circumstances following COVID-19, high-level communication has been maintained through calls between heads of state and Minister Wang Yi's visit to Korea, and that exemplary cases have been created in Northeast Asia's quarantine efforts, including the opening of the fast-track channel. He also mentioned that economic exchanges between Korea and China have been smoothly maintained despite the global economic downturn, and efforts to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries continue, such as extending the Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange until next year.

Minister Chung said, "Korea and China share the common goals of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," and expressed deep gratitude for the Chinese government's consistent support of these efforts. He added, "Our government requests that the Chinese government continue to play an active role in the stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the substantive progress of the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

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