Wang Yi Calls for Advancing China–South Korea Strategic Partnership to a New Level
Dragon Media News Desk
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for further advancing the China–South Korea strategic cooperative partnership, using next year’s 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties.
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 President Lee Jae Myung in Seoul on Thursday.
He said China–South Korea relations have shown positive improvement since the beginning of this year, adding that a rational, pragmatic and constructive policy toward China serves South Korea’s interests and is consistent with broader regional and global trends.
Wang said China has consistently supported political settlements of international and regional conflicts through dialogue. He described China as an important force for global stability amid growing uncertainty in the international environment.
On economic cooperation, Wang said China is willing to share development opportunities with other countries, particularly its neighbors. At a time of increasing global economic fragmentation and rising trade protectionism, he said China and South Korea should set an example in supporting regional economic integration and an open global economy.
He called for the early conclusion of the second-phase negotiations on the China–South Korea Free Trade Agreement. The two sides are also seeking to expand economic and trade cooperation into areas including artificial intelligence, green transformation, the digital economy and advanced technologies.
President Lee Jae Myung said China–South Korea relations have improved rapidly in recent months, with strong momentum in economic and trade cooperation.
Lee said people-to-people exchanges between the two countries are expected to exceed 10 million this year. He also noted that public perceptions of China in South Korea are improving and that expectations for broader cooperation with China are growing.
Given the current international environment, Lee said strengthening strategic cooperation between South Korea and China serves the fundamental interests of both countries and is important for regional peace and stability.
He said the two countries should become mutually beneficial partners with complementary strengths, adding that South Korea and China need each other in areas including the economy, trade and security.
Lee also expressed his expectation of visiting Shenzhen, China, in November for the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. He described the visit as an important opportunity to work with China to elevate the South Korea–China strategic cooperative partnership to a new level.
During his visit to South Korea, Wang also met with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Wi Sung-lac, South Korea’s top presidential national security adviser.
China and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1992 and will mark the 35th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.
