Gyeongju: South Korea's relationship with China stands at a pivotal crossroads, poised to either advance or regress, as articulated by China's top envoy to South Korea, Dai Bing. This statement comes in the lead-up to Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Dai Bing expressed these sentiments in a piece contributed to the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's leading publication. President Xi is set to embark on a three-day state visit starting Thursday to attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju, a southeastern city. During the summit, a meeting between President Xi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is expected to take place on Saturday. This visit marks Xi's first trip to South Korea in over a decade.
Dai Bing highlighted that South Korea-China relations have reached a critical phase where they could either move forward or step back. He pointed out that international relations have become increasingly complex and have undergone significant changes in recent years. The envoy urged a reflection on the shared spirit that fostered the establishment of diplomatic ties and called for collaboration to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.
Dai Bing also proposed enhancing cooperation between South Korea and China in fields such as artificial intelligence, green low-carbon transition, and advanced manufacturing. He emphasized these areas as crucial for both countries, which are recognized as leading powerhouses in manufacturing and technology.