Li Chang "China Promotes Peace on the Korean Peninsula"... Kishida "North Korea Denuclearization is a Shared Interest"

Joint Press Conference After Korea-Japan-China Summit
Prime Minister Li Qiang: "Pursuing Political Resolution of Korean Peninsula Issues"
Prime Minister Kishida: "Stability on the Korean Peninsula Benefits the Three Countries"

President Yoon Suk-yeol (center) holds a joint press conference for the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit at the Blue House State Guest House on the 27th, together with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Li Chang, Premier of the State Council of China, said on the 27th, "China has consistently promoted peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and is pursuing a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue." Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also explained that "the denuclearization of North Korea and stability on the Korean Peninsula are common interests of the three countries."

Premier Li Chang said on the same day at a joint press conference held immediately after the Korea-Japan-China summit at the Blue House State Guesthouse in Seoul, "the relevant parties should exercise restraint and prevent the situation from worsening and becoming more complicated," he said.

Amid North Korea’s continued provocations, including plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite, China is interpreted as calling for restraint from North Korea and related countries.

Premier Li Chang said, "The three countries should be lenient on sensitive issues, conflicts, and differences, consider each other’s core interests and major concerns, and practice genuine multilateralism to jointly safeguard stability and security in Northeast Asia and promote regional and global peace and well-being."

He continued, "We should focus on long-term common interests and demonstrate neighborly friendship," adding, "The three countries should deepen strategic communication and political mutual trust, and genuinely design and promote the next phase of trilateral cooperation plans based on joint development and improving the welfare of the people."

Premier Li Chang said, "We should focus on a higher level of cooperative win-win relations and strengthen practical cooperation," adding, "We will deepen explosive connections in economy and trade, strengthen cooperation in regional industrial and supply chains, and promote the trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) negotiation framework among China, Korea, and Japan."

He also explained that scientific and technological innovation cooperation should be deepened, and cooperation in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital economy, and green economy should be strengthened.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding after the remarks of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the joint press conference of the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit held at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan on the 27th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Kishida also emphasized at the joint press conference on the same day, "We once again confirmed that the denuclearization of North Korea and stability on the Korean Peninsula are common interests of Japan, China, and Korea."

Prime Minister Kishida said, "Regarding North Korea’s announcement of a satellite launch, I stated that if the launch is carried out, it would violate UN Security Council resolutions, and I strongly urged its suspension," adding, "I also requested that both leaders continue to support the immediate resolution of the abduction issue, and they expressed their understanding."

Regarding the outcomes of this summit, he explained, "The three leaders agreed to designate the next two years starting from next year as the 'Year of Cultural Exchange' to further promote human exchanges through university exchanges and tourism," and "We confirmed the importance of addressing common social and economic challenges such as low birthrates and aging populations, as well as global issues, and that our three countries should take the lead in presenting an advanced stage."

He added, "We emphasized the importance of promoting cooperation between the three countries and ASEAN for the stability and prosperity of the entire region," and "As part of this, the three leaders welcomed the steady progress of cooperation with ASEAN, including the establishment of a rapid financing program."

Prime Minister Kishida said, "Regarding the economic field, I pointed out the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and fair international economic order," adding, "I expressed the view that the three countries should aim for an 'RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) Agreement Plus' and have frank discussions about the desirable form of a future-oriented FTA that includes high-level standards."