Korea-China Deputy Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue... Will President Moon's 'Beijing Invitation' Be Discussed?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] South Korean and Chinese deputy foreign ministers will hold a strategic dialogue via video conference on the 23rd for the first time in four and a half years. Attention is focused on whether the invitation of President Moon Jae-in to the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics will be discussed at this meeting.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Choi Jong-geon, the first vice foreign minister, and Luo Yucheng, the Chinese deputy foreign minister, will hold the "9th Korea-China Deputy Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue" in the afternoon in a video format.

The Korea-China Deputy Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue is being held for the first time in about four and a half years since the 8th meeting in June 2017, early in the current administration.

At this strategic dialogue, broad discussions are expected on expanding Korea-China cooperation ahead of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, regional issues including the Korean Peninsula, and global affairs.

In particular, whether the issue of inviting President Moon to the Beijing Winter Olympics in February will be discussed is a matter of interest. Earlier, Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that the Chinese government sent an invitation to President Moon for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied this. The Blue House also refrained from commenting on whether related discussions would take place at the Korea-China Deputy Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, stating that they "hope for constructive discussions."

Amid the U.S.-China conflict and a series of diplomatic boycotts of the Beijing Winter Olympics by U.S. allies, President Moon stated during his visit to Australia that he is "not considering a boycott," drawing attention to whether he will attend.

Additionally, with the possibility of a Korea-China video summit between President Xi Jinping and President Moon early next year, discussions on this may also take place.

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