King says "This Visit to Korea Signifies Emphasis on Korea-China Relations... Relations More Vibrant After COVID-19"

Morning of the 26th Korea-China Foreign Ministers Meeting... Minister Kang Kyung-wha "Expecting Further Solidification of Strategic Partnership"
Minister Kang "Also Expecting Discussions on Measures to Create Conditions for the Korean Peninsula Peace Process"
Director Wang "Planning Strategic Communication on International and Regional Issues... The Meeting Will Definitely Achieve Excellent Results"

On the 26th, Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and greeted Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, before their meeting. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha held a Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting with Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, who visited Korea for the first time in a year. They exchanged views on cooperation in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), high-level exchange cooperation, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Wang plans to visit President Moon Jae-in and meet with key political and governmental figures following the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting.

On the 26th, Minister Kang met Minister Wang at around 10:25 a.m. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Seoul, for their first face-to-face meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting, Minister Wang will move to the Foreign Minister's residence in Hannam-dong for lunch and then visit President Moon Jae-in in the afternoon. Minister Kang will also attend the visit to President Moon.

In her opening remarks, Minister Kang said, "Ahead of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, I look forward to exchanging views that can further solidify the strategic partnership." She added, "I also hope we can discuss ways to continuously create conditions for progress in the Korean Peninsula peace process."

In response, Minister Wang said, "In a situation where COVID-19 is not yet over, this visit to Korea is to show the importance of China-Korea relations through practical actions." He continued, "During this visit, we plan to summarize exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries and engage in strategic communication on international and regional issues. I believe this meeting will surely achieve excellent results."

With the upcoming inauguration of the Joe Biden administration, attention is focused on what messages Minister Wang will convey to the Korean side regarding U.S.-China conflicts and the situation on the Korean Peninsula during his visit. There is also interest in whether there will be progress in discussions related to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea. Although both Korea and China have agreed to expedite President Xi's visit, the resurgence of COVID-19 has made it difficult to discuss the timing of the visit.

In diplomatic circles, it is analyzed that Minister Wang's visit to Korea largely aims to manage South Korea and Japan, key U.S. allies. Since the Joe Biden administration, scheduled to launch next year, is likely to strengthen the trilateral alliance of Korea, the U.S., and Japan based on multilateralism to check China, Korea's future moves will inevitably attract attention. Additionally, there is a possibility of discussing measures to prevent North Korean provocations and resume denuclearization talks concerning the situation on the Korean Peninsula during the U.S. administration transition period.

Earlier, on the 24th, Minister Wang conveyed intentions to resume exchanges by agreeing on a "business track" between China and Japan within this month and deciding to hold a high-level China-Japan economic dialogue next year during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu. On the 25th, during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, he delivered President Xi's message to strengthen cooperation with Japan for economic recovery.

Minister Wang plans to visit President Moon in the afternoon and continue discussions over dinner with former Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan in the evening.