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[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] With the phone call between President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping taking place, attention is focused on the timing of President Xi's visit to Korea.

Last year, the two countries attempted several times to arrange President Xi's visit to Korea, but the resurgence of COVID-19 led to the cancellation of the visit. The position remains unchanged that President Xi will visit Korea once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and conditions permit.

However, with President Joe Biden emphasizing alliances, it is expected that President Xi's visit will take place no later than before July.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

China's state-run People's Daily reported in detail on the front page top section of the 27th about the phone call between President Moon and President Xi the previous day.

President Xi said to President Moon, "China and Korea are partners in the same boat," and added, "Let us continuously expand win-win cooperation and promote the development of both countries." President Xi further emphasized economic cooperation between the two countries, stating, "Last year, the two countries confirmed their complementarity and potential. We must promptly complete the second phase of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), swiftly implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and promote the establishment of the Korea-China-Japan Free Trade Zone."

President Xi also highlighted the significance of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations. He said, "Next year marks the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations," and added, "The bilateral relationship is facing a new opportunity for deepened development." President Xi proposed, "Through the Korea-China Future Development Committee, let us summarize the 30-year history of bilateral relations and prepare future development plans to elevate the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level."

Major Chinese media outlets such as People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and CCTV did not mention any details regarding President Xi's visit to Korea.

However, considering that the Chinese government hopes for regional cooperation to avoid U.S. containment, there is a high possibility that they are looking for an opportunity to visit Korea. Assuming that COVID-19 stabilizes, the end of March or early April, after the Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), is most likely being discussed as the timing for the visit. President Moon may hope to meet President Xi before meeting President Biden.

The period before the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (July 1) is also being mentioned. The Chinese government, preparing for a large-scale event, is reportedly considering visiting Korea before the centennial celebration. This, too, is only possible if COVID-19 stabilizes.

In particular, with the Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled for February next year, Korea's absolute cooperation, based on its experience with the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, is necessary. There is analysis that expanding cultural and sports exchanges through President Xi's visit in the first half of the year is urgent. The declaration of 2021-2022 as the "Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange" during the phone call between the two leaders is also interpreted as a preliminary move by China for the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

This year and next are very important periods for President Xi. The declaration of a Xiaokang society (a moderately prosperous society) in the first half of this year, the centennial celebration in the second half, the Winter Olympics next year, and the Party Congress next year are all closely related to President Xi's reappointment.

The phone call between President Xi and President Moon took place after the Biden administration expressed its intention to pressure China through cooperation with allied countries, and can be interpreted as a call made with the U.S. in mind. This call was made at the request of the Chinese side.

There is analysis that the Biden administration, likely to pressure China by leading the Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance, prompted President Moon to hasten the phone call to emphasize that China is an economic cooperation partner.