Yoon "Hope to Continue Strengthening Korea-China Cooperation" Li Chang "Want to Be a Reliable Good Neighbor"

Bilateral Talks with Chinese Premier... First Visit to Korea in 9 Years

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of China are shaking hands during a meeting held on the 26th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a Korea-China summit on the 26th and stated, "I hope to continue strengthening cooperation between the two countries despite the global complex crises." Chinese Premier Li Qiang responded, "We want to work together with the Korean side to become reliable good neighbors to each other and partners who support each other's success."

At around 3 p.m. that day, President Yoon held talks with Premier Li Qiang, who came to Korea to attend the 9th Korea-Japan-China summit, in the expanded conference room on the 2nd floor of the Yongsan Presidential Office. He said, "Korea and China must closely cooperate not only for our bilateral relations but also for peace and prosperity in the international community."

In his opening remarks, President Yoon mentioned, "I remember having a fruitful discussion with President Xi Jinping in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022 for this purpose," and welcomed, "I am glad to meet Premier Li again after holding talks with him at the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Jakarta last September."

President Yoon said, "Since it has been nine years since Premier Li Keqiang visited Korea in 2015, I believe Premier Li Qiang's visit is even more meaningful."

President Yoon stated, "Recently, ministerial-level dialogues between the two countries have resumed in various fields, and exchanges between local governments are also being revitalized," adding, "I hope the two countries will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, respect each other, and pursue common interests."

He also said, "It is true that Korea and China face serious common challenges in the international community," noting, "The war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict continue, increasing uncertainty in the global economy." He emphasized, "Just as Korea and China have overcome many difficulties together over the past 30 years and contributed to each other's development and growth, I hope to continue strengthening cooperation between the two countries amid today's global complex crises."

Li Chang, Premier of the State Council of China, is speaking at a meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol held on the 26th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Premier Li said, "I remember when I met the President in Jakarta last time, the President said that a healthy and good Korea-China relationship aligns with the fundamental interests of both countries," and evaluated, "Looking back on the 30-year history of diplomatic relations between China and Korea, the relationship has achieved rapid development, especially yielding abundant results in the economic and trade sectors, bringing great benefits to the peoples of both countries."

Premier Li said, "In particular, China and Korea have always adhered to mutual respect, deepening friendship and mutual trust through equal dialogue and sincere communication," adding, "We have maintained a good cooperative atmosphere by upholding openness and inclusiveness, building consensus on common spirit, and resolving differences."

He continued, "We have adhered to mutual benefit and win-win principles, strengthened integration of practical cooperation and interests, and promoted common development and prosperity," and stated, "We hope to cherish all these valuable experiences together and maintain them for a long time."

He further said, "China wants to work with Korea to be reliable good neighbors to each other and partners who support each other's success," adding, "This year marks the 25th anniversary of Korea-China-Japan cooperation. China supports Korea as the chair country hosting the summit, and hopes that this meeting will achieve active results and make due contributions to trilateral cooperation and regional development."

This visit by the Chinese Premier is the first in nine years since Premier Li Keqiang's visit in 2015. After bilateral talks with China and Japan on the same day, President Yoon will attend the Korea-Japan-China summit on the 27th. The trilateral summit is being held for the first time in four years and five months since the 8th summit in Chengdu, China, in December 2019.

At the Korea-China bilateral talks that day, Korea was represented by Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choi Sang-mok, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, Ambassador to China Jung Jae-ho, National Security Office Director Jang Ho-jin, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, and Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop.

The Chinese side included Jin Zhuanglong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology; Sun Yeli, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Xing Haiming, Ambassador to Korea; Liu Suoxu, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission; Wu Zhenglong, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council; Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce; Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sun Weidong, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Kang Shiping, Director of the Premier's Office.