1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha, who is on a visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, had a telephone conversation with Mr. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, at 14:15, February 26, local time (23:15, February 26, Korea Standard Time), and exchanged views on cooperation in responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Chinese government’s recent, excessive restrictions against Korean visitors.

2. Minister Kang explained that the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) has been doing its utmost in preventing the spread of COVID through government-wide, transparent and preemptive measures; expressed concern over the fact that a number of regions in China have lately been implementing excessive controls, including quarantines, on Korean visitors; and asked the Chinese central government to pay extra attention to ensure that excessive measures are avoided in consideration of the facts.

° In response, State Councilor Wang once again extended appreciation to the ROK for its support from various sectors for China in the process of responding to COVID-19; commended the ROK government’s recent, thorough preventive efforts and strong will to curb the spread of the virus; and mentioned that the Chinese government will continue efforts to further promote the friendship between the ROK and China by minimizing the impact of COVID-19 on people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation between the two countries.

3. The two Ministers agreed to work together to further improve the bilateral relations on the basis of what the ROK and China have achieved through close communication and cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

4. The telephone conversation, which came after the telephone conversation on January 28 and the meeting on February 15, marked the third case of communication between the two Ministers over the period of one month. The two Ministers agreed to continue communication and to step up cooperation on pending issues as necessary.