Maoning Spokesperson "Maintains Friendly Direction"
The Chinese government expressed hope on the 23rd, a day before the 32nd anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, that the relationship between the two countries will develop healthily and steadily.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing that "China hopes to work with South Korea to faithfully implement the important common understandings (agreements) of the leaders of both countries, adhere to the original intentions and friendly direction at the time of establishing diplomatic relations, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation."
Regarding Korea-China relations, spokesperson Mao defined South Korea as a close neighbor and important cooperation partner, stating, "Through the joint efforts of both sides over more than 30 years since establishing diplomatic relations, exchanges and cooperation in various fields have become closer and more fruitful, and the two countries have already established a strategic cooperative partnership."
He especially emphasized, "Maintaining and developing the China-Korea friendly cooperative relationship not only aligns with the common interests of both sides but also contributes to regional development and prosperity." However, when asked by reporters whether there are plans to hold government-level commemorative events, he did not provide a specific answer.
Earlier, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated through a spokesperson briefing that it will strive for Korea-China relations to develop in a healthy and mature direction. However, spokesperson Lee Jae-woong explained, "Since it is not a milestone anniversary (years divisible by 5 or 10), it is customary not to hold government-level commemorative events, and therefore there are no planned diplomatic anniversary events this year."
Korea-China relations are showing signs of recovery in exchanges, as various events such as youth exchanges and economic and trade cooperation meetings, which had been suspended due to COVID-19, have resumed one after another following the meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Premier Li Qiang at the Korea-China-Japan summit held in May.
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