Cho Tae-yeol meets with China's Wang Yi, "We must cooperate despite difficulties... hoping this is the first step to untangle the complex knot"

Minister Cho Tae-yeol's First Visit to China Since Inauguration
At Foreign Ministers' Meeting, "Hope for Improved Korea-China Relations"

Cho Tae-yeol, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea, who visited China, met with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and said, "Even if there are difficulties in (bilateral relations), we must carefully manage them so that differences do not escalate into conflicts, while continuing the momentum of cooperation." He added, "This visit should be the first step to untangle the intertwined knots between the two countries and open the way for Korea-China relations to move forward."

Minister Cho held talks with Minister Wang at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing around 6 p.m. on the 13th (5 p.m. local time) and stated, "As the two countries face various regional and global challenges such as North Korea's continuous provocations, multiple geopolitical conflicts, and global supply chain instability, it is important to respond together not only to bilateral relations but also to common challenges."

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol (left) is taking a commemorative photo with Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing around 6 p.m. on the 13th (5 p.m. local time). (Photo by Beijing Correspondents Joint Coverage Team)

He said, "The main purpose of this visit to China is to solidify the joint will and trust for the common interests of both countries and their peoples, as well as what the international community expects from us, and to concretize future cooperation directions." He emphasized, "Our government, under a consistent stance that values Korea-China relations, hopes to continue developing the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership in a healthier and more mature direction based on mutual respect, reciprocity, and common interests, and to work closely with the Chinese side for this purpose."

Minister Cho particularly reiterated the importance of 'joint efforts' by both countries and stressed the significance of cooperation. He explained, "For the development of bilateral relations, it is important that both countries work together, not just one side. We do not perceive or manage foreign relations as a zero-sum game. As democratic countries, we cooperate with other nations on a case-by-case and sector-by-sector basis with a sense of balance based on clear principles and standards."

He also urged efforts to improve the negative perceptions of each other that have deepened in recent years. He said, "To open a new era of Korea-China cooperation, more effort should be focused on building a sustainable development foundation through mutual trust enhancement rather than speed or scale." He added, "To improve the mutual perceptions of the peoples of both countries, which have worsened over the past few years, it is necessary to adopt a perspective of putting oneself in the other's shoes, recognizing differences, understanding, considering, and expanding consensus."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol (second from left) is delivering opening remarks before the meeting with Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister (opposite Minister Cho), at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing around 6 p.m. on the 13th (5 p.m. local time). (Photo by Beijing Correspondents Joint Coverage Team)

Minister Cho continued, "It is important to minimize the constraints on bilateral relations caused by changes in the geopolitical environment and to focus on cooperation rather than conflict, steadily achieving results one step at a time starting with small matters." He added, "I hope that today we can have frank and in-depth dialogues on mutual interests including bilateral relations, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and major regional and international issues, and form consensus in key areas."

Earlier, Minister Wang Yi emphasized, "The relationship between China and South Korea was already defined as a strategic cooperative partnership in 2008, which means that the relationship with the other country has been placed in a more important position in each country's diplomacy." He stressed, "In this process, the two countries have achieved mutual growth through shared accomplishments and contributed to regional peace and prosperity."

He continued, "Recently, the difficulties and challenges facing Korea-China relations have noticeably increased, which does not align with the common interests of both sides and is not what China desires." He said, "I hope the Korean side will uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations with China, maintain the direction of neighborly friendship, and adhere to the goal of mutually beneficial cooperation, excluding interference and moving forward facing each other." Earlier, he also mentioned former Minister Park Jin, saying, "Former Minister Park Jin is a good friend of mine, please convey my regards to him."

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