China, South Korea urged to pursue stable and sustainable development of bilateral ties

Dragon Media News Desk

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on China and South Korea to adopt a strategic perspective and work together to ensure the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral relations.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul on Wednesday.

Wang said the two countries should maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen political trust, expand economic cooperation and deepen people-to-people engagement.

He expressed hope that South Korea would pursue an independent foreign policy based on its fundamental national interests and develop relations with different countries in parallel without creating unnecessary conflict between them.

According to Wang, exchanges between the top leaders of China and South Korea since the end of last year have helped establish important understandings on the future direction of bilateral relations.

With the two countries marking the 34th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Wang said China is ready to work with South Korea to take their strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level.

He noted that China and South Korea have developed a strong foundation in economic and trade cooperation and have become closely interconnected through shared economic interests.

Wang called for greater cooperation in emerging sectors including artificial intelligence, green transition, the digital economy, high-end equipment manufacturing and industries serving ageing populations.

He also urged the two sides to accelerate the second phase of negotiations on the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Wang said exchanges involving young people, media organizations, sports institutions, think tanks and local governments should also be expanded to strengthen public support and the social foundation of bilateral relations.

Referring to China’s hosting of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Wang said Beijing is ready to work with South Korea and other participating economies to promote greater cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and contribute to regional peace and development.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Seoul has consistently maintained the one-China policy it adopted when diplomatic relations with Beijing were established in 1992.

Cho said South Korea is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China and deepen cooperation in trade, high technology, artificial intelligence and youth exchanges.

He also supported accelerating the second phase of negotiations on the bilateral free trade agreement and further developing the South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership.

The two ministers also discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang said China has consistently sought to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the peninsula and would continue communication and coordination with relevant parties.

The meeting indicated that Beijing and Seoul are seeking to manage political and security differences while expanding cooperation in trade, technology and people-to-people exchanges.