1. With this year marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the ROK and China, President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages on August 24.

2. President Moon took note of the significant development of the bilateral relations in a range of areas over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, and said that it is the result of the governments and people of the two countries’ efforts to enhance mutual understanding and trust through close communications, exchanges and cooperation and to develop more mature relations based on them.

o President Moon noted that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the way forward for the bilateral relations in Germany in July this year, and said that he also places great importance on the ROK-China relations. He also hoped that based on such agreement with President Xi Jinping, the two countries will continue to develop their relations into “substantive strategic and cooperative partnership” that not only promotes co-prosperity of the two countries, but contributes to peace and development on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia, and around the world.

3. President Xi Jinping said that the bilateral relations have continuously developed thanks to the two sides’ joint efforts over the past 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and that it has brought real benefits to the people of both countries and actively contributed to regional peace and development, adding that such accomplishments in the bilateral relations are valuable.

o President Xi said that he places great importance on the ROK-China relations, and expressed hope that the two countries will work together to further deepen mutual political trust, handle differences appropriately, and advance their relations in a stable and sound manner.

4. In addition to the exchange of congratulatory messages between the leaders of the two countries, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi also exchanged congratulatory telegrams to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Minister Kang hoped that based on the view shared by the leaders of the two countries in July this year, the two countries will further strengthen cooperation, and continue to work together to fundamentally solve the North Korean problem and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula amid the increasing North Korean nuclear threats.

o Minister Wang Yi expressed hope that the two countries will increase communications and exchanges between their Foreign Ministries, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and advance their relations in a sound and stable manner.


* unofficial translation