President Moon: "Let's meet once COVID stabilizes"... Xi Jinping: "Will visit Korea when conditions permit" (Update)

President Moon Jae-in is taking a commemorative photo with Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 26th. 2020.11.26 Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed a verbal message to President Moon Jae-in expressing "gratitude for the invitation for a state visit and a desire to visit South Korea when conditions permit," the Blue House announced on the 26th.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok stated in a written briefing following President Moon’s meeting with Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, that "through the verbal message, President Xi said, 'Since the beginning of this year, I have had several phone calls and exchanged letters with President Moon, engaging in deep communication and reaching important agreements.' He particularly praised the leadership in the world demonstrated through cooperation on COVID-19 prevention and bilateral exchanges and cooperation."

Wang Yi conveyed that "President Xi values the friendship and mutual trust with President Moon and specifically requested that this verbal message be delivered."

In response, President Moon said, "I look forward to meeting in Korea once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes."

The meeting lasted 57 minutes starting from 4 p.m. President Moon welcomed State Councilor Wang’s visit to Korea and said, "I hope that the two countries (South Korea and China) will further strengthen economic cooperation as well as human and cultural exchange cooperation to develop the strategic cooperative partnership more closely."

According to spokesperson Kang, President Moon expressed, "We expect China’s cooperation for the prompt launch of the 'Northeast Asia Disease Control and Health Cooperation Body' proposed by our government." In response, State Councilor Wang said, "We support the idea raised by President Moon and intend to actively cooperate."

President Moon also said, "(State Councilor Wang) visited Japan, but amid the COVID-19 crisis and the fluid regional and international situation, cooperation among the three countries?South Korea, China, and Japan?is more important than ever." He added, "As the chair country of the 9th South Korea-China-Japan Summit, our government hopes to work together to hold the summit as soon as possible."

There was also mention of the recently concluded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). President Moon said, "Through the active efforts of participating countries, the official signing of RCEP took place on the 15th. We expect RCEP to contribute to the restoration of multilateralism and the development of a free trade order beyond the region."

Additionally, President Moon said, "South Korea will actively cooperate for the successful hosting of the Tokyo and Beijing Olympics," adding, "We believe this will greatly contribute to peace and stability in Northeast Asia." He also emphasized, "It is important to create conditions to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula stably and to make progress toward denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime," requesting continued cooperation from China, spokesperson Kang conveyed.

State Councilor Wang expressed support for holding the South Korea-China-Japan Summit and responded, "Thank you for supporting China’s hosting of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics." He further emphasized the importance of the roles of both South and North Korea, reaffirmed China’s support for the development of inter-Korean relations and the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, and stated that China will continue to cooperate going forward.