On Saturday, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, in Xiamen, which lies to China’s east in the Fujian Province. The diplomats exchanged views on the status Korea-China bilateral relations, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including the denuclearisation of North Korea. This meeting is significant, as it is Chung’s first overseas trip since his appointment in February and comes at a time when Seoul is looking to improve ties with its biggest trading partner.
Talking about denuclearisation and China’s necessary role in the peacemaking process, Chung Eui-yong said that South Korea and China shared “a common goal toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and toward permanent peacemaking policies.” He further urged Beijing “to continue serving a constructive role in the stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and achieving substantial progress in the Korean Peninsula peace process.” Wang Yi complemented the Korean minister’s remarks by saying that the countries had agreed “to promote the process to politically resolve issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula.”
The officials’ meeting came on the heels of trilateral talks between national security officials from the United States (US), Japan, and South Korea, who on Friday agreed to strengthen cooperation to implement United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea and work towards denuclearisation.
During Saturday’s talks, Beijing and Seoul, who will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, also agreed to hold a new round of high-level strategic dialogue between their respective vice foreign ministries and the first round of 2+2 foreign policy and security dialogue in the first half of this year. According to a press release by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two diplomats also discussed other wide-ranging issues of mutual importance, in areas like culture, economy, environment, and history.
Following the meeting, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a briefing in Beijing that “China is ready to work with the Republic of Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, deepen communication and practical cooperation so as to move forward the strategic cooperative partnership.”
South Korea Calls on China to Play “Constructive Role” in Denuclearisation of North Korea
On Saturday, South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong held a meeting with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi to discuss the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
April 5, 2021
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong. SOURCE: REUTERS