Korea-China Foreign Ministers Meeting "New Korea-China Relations Framework of Mutual Respect"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The foreign ministers of South Korea and China reached a consensus on the development of bilateral relations.

Our government emphasized a new diplomatic stance toward China by mentioning "universal values and norms" and "mutual respect" at the first open South Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting under the new administration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

China attached significance to the new government's stance and expressed hopes that South Korea would maintain continuity and stability in its diplomacy toward China.

Foreign Minister Park Jin and Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, held their first face-to-face meeting on the 7th (local time) at a resort in Bali, Indonesia, where the G20 foreign ministers' welcome reception was held.

In his opening remarks during the approximately 50-minute meeting, delivered through an interpreter, Minister Park quoted a Chinese proverb "산적이고 택적이장" (山積而高 澤積而長; mountains become high when soil accumulates, and ponds flow far when water gathers), emphasizing South Korea-China relations based on "mutual respect."

He said, "South Korea and China should become good partners who cooperate equally while building mutual respect and trust, so that we can develop a healthy and mature South Korea-China relationship for the next 30 years," adding, "The new government values the universal values and norms of the international community and will actively participate in international cooperation and coordination to protect freedom, peace, human rights, and the rule of law."

Minister Park also stated that South Korea and China should closely cooperate to respond to global common challenges so that their cooperation can contribute to regional and world peace and prosperity.

By mentioning "participation in cooperation to protect human rights and the rule of law" and "equal cooperation," Minister Park is seen as signaling a shift in the diplomatic stance toward China.

In his opening remarks, Minister Wang emphasized, "We attach great importance to the fact that South Korea's new government has started a new journey in South Korea-China relations," and "We face important development opportunities as well as realistic challenges that we must address together."

He added, "Therefore, we are ready to cooperate with the South Korean side to ensure that our good neighborly and friendly cooperative relations continue to develop in the right direction."

Minister Wang also expressed readiness to maintain stable policies toward the counterpart and to cooperate so that the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries advances for greater mutual benefit.

This is interpreted as reflecting China's hope that South Korea's new government will not excessively shift its orientation toward the United States.

A Foreign Ministry official said, "China also shows a kind of respect for the orientation of our new government," and "It is understood that China has expressed expectations for continuity in the specific policies the new government will take going forward."

Both countries agreed to actively operate diplomatic channels to strengthen strategic communication. They decided to regularize communication between foreign ministers, including face-to-face consultations, and agreed to closely coordinate to ensure Minister Park's prompt visit to China and Minister Wang's visit to South Korea within the second half of the year.

The Foreign Ministry stated that strategic communication channels such as the deputy foreign ministers' strategic dialogue will be actively operated in the second half of the year. They also agreed to cooperate to successfully commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (August 24).

A Foreign Ministry official said, "Even if there are differences in positions between the two countries in the future, we plan to handle and manage issues well based on mutual respect and the spirit of reciprocal cooperation."

Minister Park is also reported to have actively raised the need to resume cultural content exchanges, which have not completely escaped the impact of the "Hanhanryeong" (South Korea's ban on cultural imports from China).

Issues such as restoring and expanding air routes between the two countries to revitalize human exchanges in the post-COVID-19 era, follow-up negotiations on services and investment under the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and supply chain stability were also discussed.

Additionally, Minister Park requested China's constructive role to ensure North Korea immediately stops provocations and returns to dialogue, and urged continued close communication regarding the North Korean nuclear issue.

Meanwhile, a Foreign Ministry official said that Minister Wang and Minister Park also bonded over their shared hobby of "hiking" during the process of inviting each other to visit China and South Korea on that day.

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