Xi Jinping: "China-South Korea Friendship Must Take Root in the Hearts of Both Peoples"
On June 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to further elevate the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership during his first phone call with President Lee Jaemyung.
According to the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency, President Xi congratulated President Lee once again on his election victory during their call that morning and made these remarks.
President Xi stated, "China and South Korea are close neighbors who cannot be separated," and added, "Over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have actively promoted exchanges and cooperation in various fields, transcending differences in ideology and social systems, and have achieved mutual success and joint development." He further commented, "A healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China-South Korea relationship aligns with the trend of the times, serves the fundamental interests of both peoples, and contributes to peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and the world."
He continued, "We must uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, firmly adhere to the direction of good-neighborly friendship, and maintain the goal of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. By further advancing the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, we can bring greater benefits to the peoples of both countries and inject certainty into a region and world entangled in turmoil." He also stressed the need to "strengthen exchanges at all levels to enhance strategic mutual trust," and to "closely coordinate bilateral cooperation and multilateral efforts, jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and ensure the stability and smooth operation of global and regional industrial and supply chains."
President Xi emphasized, "We should deepen cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, and solidify the public foundation so that China-South Korea friendship can take root in the hearts of both peoples." He also stated, "Both sides should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, firmly maintain the overall direction of bilateral relations, and ensure that China-South Korea relations always develop along the right path."
In response, President Lee expressed his agreement with President Xi's remarks, stating, "China and South Korea are geographically close, have a long history of exchanges, and are closely connected economically, commercially, and culturally," according to Xinhua News Agency. President Lee also said, "Under President Xi's outstanding leadership, China has achieved remarkable development accomplishments, which are truly admirable. I attach great importance to China-South Korea relations and, together with China, hope to further deepen bilateral friendship, improve and enhance the sentiments between our peoples, and achieve even greater results through China-South Korea cooperation."
This was President Lee's third phone conversation with a foreign leader since taking office, following calls with U.S. President Donald Trump on June 6 and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru the previous day.
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