[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Wang Qishan, Vice President of China, said on the 10th, "President Xi Jinping welcomes and invites President Yoon Suk-yeol to visit China at a mutually convenient time."
Vice President Wang conveyed this message to President Yoon during a congratulatory delegation meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon on the same day, saying, "President Xi Jinping specially asked me to represent him to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony and to wish that under President Yoon's leadership, the country will develop, be peaceful, and the people comfortable."
President Yoon said, "I welcome the Chinese delegation's visit to Korea and am very pleased to meet Vice President Wang Qishan, who has extensive experience. Since my election, President Xi has sent a personal letter and made a congratulatory call. I am truly glad that the Vice President personally attended today's inauguration ceremony and understand well China's intention to value Korea-China relations."
Vice President Wang continued, "Korea and China are friendly neighbors and important cooperative partners to each other. Since the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, bilateral relations have developed comprehensively and rapidly, with increasing common interests. In the current global adversity, strengthening Korea-China cooperation highlights its importance regionally and globally. China hopes to work together with Korea to advance the strategic cooperative partnership and continuously strive for a higher level."
Vice President Wang also presented five proposals from the Chinese government to President Yoon for the development of bilateral relations. First, he said, "Through strengthening strategic communication and maintaining smooth communication between the two countries, dialogue and exchanges can be activated."
He then urged Korea and China to deepen practical cooperation and promptly conclude the second phase of the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Vice President Wang emphasized, "The economies of Korea and China are highly complementary with great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, and the industrial supply chains between the two countries are inseparable. Last year, bilateral trade exceeded $360 billion, and cumulative business investment increased by nearly $100 billion."
He also called for promoting people-to-people friendship, citing the long history of friendship between the two countries. He urged, "Both sides are geographically close, culturally connected, and have the advantage of humanistic affinity. Taking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange as opportunities, more events to promote bilateral friendship should be planned and implemented to continuously inject positive energy into the development of bilateral relations."
Furthermore, he requested close coordination on multilateral issues. Vice President Wang said, "China is pleased that Korea is playing a greater role in international and regional issues and will strengthen strategic communication with Korea to jointly uphold multilateralism and the free trade system. Through this, we aim to promote regional and global development and prosperity." He also added, "China respects Korea's hosting of the 9th Korea-China-Japan summit and wishes to promote Korea-China-Japan+X cooperation together with Korea, as well as jointly push for the early establishment of the Korea-China-Japan FTA."
Vice President Wang also mentioned, "Regarding the Korean Peninsula issue, we should strengthen cooperation with China and handle sensitive matters appropriately." In particular, he stressed, "China sincerely supports both North and South Korea in improving relations and promoting reconciliation and cooperation, and aims to strengthen communication to pursue denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula."
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