Beijing: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun expressed optimism on Wednesday about advancing bilateral relations with China, contingent on Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month. Cho's comments were made during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, marking the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations since President Lee Jae Myung's administration commenced in early June.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho remarked on the significance of hosting APEC first in South Korea and subsequently in China next year. He expressed hope that these events would not only further APEC's goals but also enhance Korea-China relations. Cho emphasized the potential benefits of President Xi's participation in the summit, suggesting it could serve as a platform for collaborative efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Wang Yi reinforced the foundation of the bilateral relationship, emphasizing the importance of good neighborliness and mutual benefits. He highlighted the necessity of frequent exchanges between China and South Korea to deepen understanding, avoid misperceptions, and enhance cooperation.
Cho's visit to Beijing occurs as South Korea navigates the complexities of maintaining strong ties with both the United States and China amid their ongoing rivalry. The South Korean government, led by President Lee, is also focused on rejuvenating inter-Korean relations, which had weakened under the previous administration. Despite North Korea's persistent refusals to engage, Seoul seeks to resume dialogue with Pyongyang and hopes to secure Beijing's support for North Korea's denuclearization efforts.
South Korea anticipates that if President Xi attends the APEC summit, it would solidify stable bilateral relations and provide an opportunity for leaders to address mutual interests, including North Korean issues. Although China has not confirmed Xi's attendance, he is expected to participate in the summit scheduled for October 31 to November 1.
During the talks, Cho and Wang are also likely to exchange views on North Korea, following Kim Jong-un's recent appearance at China's Victory Day celebrations alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Cho aims to discuss North Korea-related issues and encourage Beijing's assistance in resuming inter-Korean dialogue.
Additionally, the discussions may cover other bilateral concerns, such as China's construction of steel structures in the Yellow Sea, a contentious issue between the two countries. Cho is expected to seek clarification on China's stance regarding the North's denuclearization, particularly after Beijing's omission of the topic in discussions between Xi and Kim during recent events.