Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Xi Jinping's Visit to South Korea Reaffirmed... 2+2 Dialogue to be Promoted in the First Half of the Year"

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 3rd that during the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting, China reiterated President Xi Jinping's willingness to visit South Korea, and that high-level exchanges such as the 2+2 (foreign affairs and security) dialogue will be pursued within the first half of this year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release after the meeting between Minister Chung Eui-yong and Wang Yi, China's State Councilor in charge of foreign affairs and Foreign Minister, held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, stating that both sides exchanged views on issues including normal and high-level exchanges, Korea-China bilateral relations, and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

At the meeting, Minister Chung and Minister Wang agreed to activate various dialogues between Korea and China to strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

The Chinese side reaffirmed President Xi Jinping's intention to visit South 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.

They also reconfirmed the necessity of continuous trilateral cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan for the early holding of the Korea-China-Japan summit meeting.

Both sides agreed to promote the activation of parliamentary exchanges between the two countries, as well as to pursue the Korea-China Vice Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue and the foreign affairs and security dialogue (2+2) within the first half of the year. They also agreed to draft a "Korea-China Ministry of Foreign Affairs Exchange and Cooperation Plan" to further activate dialogue consultative bodies at various levels between the two foreign ministries.

In particular, the two sides exchanged opinions on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and reached a consensus that they share the goal of realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establishing lasting peace.

Accordingly, they agreed to continue expanding cooperation to stably manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula and to create conditions for advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

In preparation for the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations next year, both sides agreed to promptly hold the Korea-China Humanities Exchange Promotion Committee and to launch the "Korea-China Future Development Committee" within the first half of this year.

Furthermore, Minister Chung and Minister Wang shared the recognition that strengthening practical cooperation in fields such as culture, economy, environment, and history is necessary for the development of bilateral relations, and agreed to make various efforts.

Minister Chung requested China's cooperation to revitalize cooperation in cultural content sectors such as games, films, and broadcasting, asking for the lifting of the Hanhanryeong (Korean Wave ban), and Minister Wang responded that he is well aware of Korea's concerns and suggested continuous communication.

The ministers agreed to adopt the Korea-China Economic Cooperation Joint Plan as soon as possible, to strive for the early ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and to accelerate the second phase of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

In addition, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in environmental fields such as climate change and fine dust, and the Chinese side expressed support for hosting the P4G (Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030) summit.

Both sides also agreed to cooperate on historical issues, including the preservation and management of sites related to the independence movement within China.

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