Jeong Eui-yong "China Expected to Support Korean Peninsula Peace Process"... Wang Yi "Strengthening Bilateral Community Awareness"

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, are taking a commemorative photo at the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeong Eui-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister and State Councilor, who visited Korea, emphasizing the expansion of human and cultural exchanges between the two countries and stating, "We expect consistent support for the Korean Peninsula peace process promoted by our government." Wang Yi stressed, "Under the new circumstances, the two countries should further strengthen their sense of community."

Before holding the foreign ministers' talks on the 15th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul, Minister Jeong said in his opening remarks, "South Korea and China have closely cooperated as key partners to achieve the common goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace."

He then requested China's support for the Korean Peninsula peace process, emphasizing, "The Northeast Asia relay Olympics, which began in Pyeongchang in 2018 and continued with the Tokyo 2021 and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, were successfully held as quarantine, safety, and peace Olympics. I hope this will serve as an opportunity to deliver a message of hope for overcoming COVID-19 and world peace."

Minister Jeong mentioned this year’s expansion of Korea-China trade volume, next year’s 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, and the Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange, expressing, "Human and cultural exchanges between the two countries will further expand, and mutual understanding and discussions among the people will become richer."

He added, "I hope that today’s talks with Minister Wang will deepen the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership and explore ways to develop it in a future-oriented manner. I also hope we can seek ways to jointly address global challenges such as new infectious disease prevention and climate change, and work together for world peace and prosperity."

In response, Minister Wang expressed gratitude for "the warm hospitality from the Korean side and the meticulous arrangements made in quarantine measures," and said he was pleased to hold the Korea-China foreign ministers’ talks after five months.

He emphasized, "China and Korea are close neighbors who cannot move away from each other and indispensable partners," adding, "The China-Korea relationship is continuously reaching new stages, becoming increasingly mature, stable, and steady."

Minister Wang stated, "The world is currently undergoing major changes unseen in a hundred years, and the global COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating these changes. Under the new circumstances, the two countries must further strengthen their sense of community, continuously expand common interests, and constantly explore the potential for cooperation to realize better, faster, more stable, comprehensive, and sustainable development."