Deputy Speaker Lee Hakyoung Meets China's No. 3 Zhao Leji, Urges "Forward-Looking Measures on West Sea Structures"

Lee Hakyoung, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, who is currently visiting China, has called on the Chinese side to take "forward-looking measures" regarding the unilateral installation of maritime structures in the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ) of the West Sea.

Lee Hakyoung, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, is speaking at the 13th Regular Meeting of the Korea-China Parliamentary Exchange System held on the 10th at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the National Assembly on July 10, Deputy Speaker Lee met with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (the third-highest ranking official in China), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that afternoon. Lee stated, "There is significant domestic interest and concern regarding the maritime structures in the West Sea, and it is expected to remain a major issue going forward." He added, "I hope that forward-looking measures will be taken so that this issue does not become an obstacle to the development of bilateral relations." Lee also said, "I hope that communication between the two governments will be further strengthened."

Since 2018, China has installed maritime structures in the West Sea PMZ, where the 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Korea and China overlap. China claims these are "aquaculture facilities," but structures additionally installed in 2022 resemble oil drilling equipment, which has sparked controversy. There are also concerns in Korea that China is seeking to expand its influence in the West Sea and establish grounds for territorial claims.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Lee explained that the government is planning to dispatch presidential envoys to major countries soon to explain the new administration's foreign policy following the inauguration of President Lee Jaemyung. Regarding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held in Gyeongju at the end of October this year, Lee said, "The government has been in continuous discussions with China at the government level to create a new turning point in bilateral relations through President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea, and I understand that President Xi has responded positively." He requested Chairman Zhao's interest and support to ensure President Xi's visit to Korea.

Chairman Zhao stated, "China highly appreciates Deputy Speaker Lee's long-standing efforts to advance Korea-China friendship projects," and added, "China and Korea are inseparable neighbors and cooperation partners." He continued, "After President Lee's inauguration, President Xi promptly held a phone call, and both leaders agreed to promote the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level." Zhao also said, "China is willing to work with Korea, under the strategic guidance of both leaders, to strengthen exchanges, build mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and continuously advance and develop bilateral relations."

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