1. Mr. Hong Jin-wook, Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with Mr. Wang Di, Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, held the 3rd Republic of Korea (ROK)-China Middle East Policy Consultation in Beijing on October 30. During the consultation, the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, including the two countries’ respective policies toward the Middle East, recent developments in the region, and issues concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as those between the State of Israel and Palestine.

° On the afternoon of the same day, Director-General Hong met with Mr. Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China in charge of ASEAN and Middle Eastern affairs.

2. The two sides shared the understanding that peace and stability in the Middle East is important for the entire international community, including Northeast Asia, and agreed to continue bilateral communication on the situation in the Middle East and ways for economic cooperation with the region.

3. The two sides noted that the policy consultation had been instrumental in enhancing the understanding between the ROK and China on Middle Eastern issues and agreed to make efforts to have communication in this field on a regular basis, including by annually holding the Middle East Policy Consultation.

° The 3^rd ROK-China Middle East Policy Consultation came about five years after the 2^nd meeting was held in January 2015. The ROK government has been holding the Middle East Policy Consultation in order to enhance understanding on the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East through communication with major countries, including China, Japan, the French Republic and the European Union, and to contribute to peace and stability in the region.