Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that China-South Korea relations are about to enter a new chapter. At the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 30th to November 1st to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to South Korea.
This visit marks Xi Jinping's first state visit to South Korea in 11 years and the first meeting between the Chinese and South Korean leaders since Lee Jae-myung assumed the presidency.
"This meeting between the Chinese and South Korean leaders will be an important opportunity to advance the stability and improvement of the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership and move towards a new era," Dong Xiangrong, a researcher at the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told China News Service.
Over the 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea, the two countries have actively promoted exchanges and cooperation in various fields, achieving mutual success and common development. During Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea in 2014, the two sides announced their commitment to becoming partners for common development, partners for regional peace, partners for the revitalization of Asia, and partners for promoting global prosperity.
In June of this year, during a phone call with Lee Jae-myung, Xi Jinping emphasized that China and South Korea should uphold the original aspirations of establishing diplomatic ties, remain committed to good-neighborly friendship, and pursue the goal of mutual benefit and win-win results, "ensuring that China-South Korea relations always develop on the right track."
"The proposal of the 'four partners' has greatly enriched the connotation of the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership. Taking President Xi Jinping's visit as an opportunity, bilateral relations will advance to a higher level," said Li Chengri, assistant researcher at the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. From the phone call to the upcoming face-to-face meeting, the two heads of state have maintained strategic communication, charting the course for China-South Korea relations and providing a top-level design for cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, and culture. This will help maintain the long-term stability of China-South Korea relations and better benefit the people of both countries.
China and South Korea are geographically close, and their interests are deeply intertwined. China has been South Korea's largest trading partner for 21 consecutive years, and South Korea is China's second-largest trading partner. Last year, bilateral trade between China and South Korea reached US$328.08 billion.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement. The two sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations on the second phase of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement, engaging in in-depth consultations on cross-border trade in services, investment, and financial services, and have made positive progress.
Da Zhigang, a researcher at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies of the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, stated that China and South Korea, geographically close and important trade and investment partners, are inseparable neighbors. With the profound evolution of the international situation and the accelerated reshaping of the regional cooperation landscape, China-ROK economic and trade relations are at a new historical juncture. This visit will help strengthen bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination, advance the second phase of negotiations on the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement, expand friendship and mutual trust, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.
As both participants and promoters of Asia-Pacific cooperation, China and South Korea will strengthen mutual support and promote sub-regional and global cooperation, which will also consolidate the foundation stone for maintaining the multilateral cooperation system.
Li Chengri noted that China officially joined APEC in November 1991, and the APEC Ministerial Meeting held in South Korea that same year adopted a declaration formally defining the purpose and objectives of APEC. With unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, China and South Korea should speak out together and work together to promote inclusive and beneficial economic globalization.
"China and South Korea share a common vision for upholding multilateralism and free trade," said Dong Xiangrong. China will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting next year, and the Chinese leader's visit to South Korea is expected to convey a positive message of mutual support, consensus-building, and upholding the multilateral trading system.
In Gyeongju, the venue for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, a stone tablet inscribed with the ancient poem, "Hanging sails and floating on the vast ocean, the long wind connects thousands of miles," is both a timeless tale and a fitting reflection of our present times.
With China's pilot visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders in South Korea, South Koreans' enthusiasm for visiting China has been further fueled. Trending searches include "Weekend trip to Shanghai" and "Taking parents to Zhangjiajie." Recently, South Korea's temporary visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists officially took effect, fostering a two-way flow of people from both countries.
Interviewed scholars also noted that South Korean Coast Guard Lee Jae-seok died while rescuing Chinese citizens, and that driver Xiao Bo from Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, risked his life to protect the safety of more than ten South Korean passengers. These touching stories bear witness to and deepen the friendly ties between the two peoples.
"China-South Korea cultural exchanges are rich and varied. Both countries should focus on exploring these 'bright spots' to enhance public understanding and further promote people-to-people bonds," said Dong Xiangrong.
Li Chengri stated that China-South Korea exchanges in culture, education, science and technology are increasingly active. He hoped that during this visit, new consensus would be reached, more projects would be launched, and a favorable social environment would be created for the growth of young talents, thus continuing a new chapter of good-neighborly cooperation. (End)
