Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoonjoo held the 11th ROK-China Vice Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue* with Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Ma Zhaoxu in Beijing on Thursday, December 18. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including ROK-China relations and regional and international developments.

* The Strategic Dialogue mechanism was established following the 2008 ROK-China Summit and has been held a total of ten times to date, with the 10th round held in Seoul on July 24, 2024.

The two Vice Ministers noted with appreciation President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the ROK on November 1, his first in 11 years, and the successful holding of the first ROK–China summit meeting between the two leaders on that occasion, describing them as meaningful achievements in fully restoring the “ROK–China Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” The two sides shared the view that, based on close communication between the two foreign ministries, they should substantively implement the follow-up measures to the summit.

First, the two Vice Ministers agreed to continue promoting active exchanges in both the governmental and private sectors, thereby strengthening political trust and mutual goodwill between the two countries and fostering positive momentum for the mature development of ROK-China relations. At the governmental level, the two sides agreed to further reinforce the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries, including through this Strategic Dialogue. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to encourage friendly exchanges in a wide range of fields, including youth, media, academia, and local governments, and exchanged views on ways to further invigorate cultural exchanges between the two countries in order to enhance mutual understanding between their peoples.

In addition, the two Vice Ministers agreed to redouble their efforts to ensure that the shared understanding between the leaders of the two countries that “people’s livelihoods come first” is translated into practical and concrete outcomes that can be genuinely felt by the peoples of both countries. They shared the view that the two sides should develop a mutually complementary economic relationship based on horizontal cooperation, and further deepen cooperation for livelihood stability, including in responding to transnational crime.

Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including the Yellow Sea issue, and discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula as well as regional and international developments. Vice Minister Park explained the ROK government’s policy direction for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and requested that China play a role in creating conditions for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea. Vice Minister Ma confirmed that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The two sides also agreed that, for the stability and prosperity of Northeast Asia, it is important for countries in the region to cooperate constructively on the basis of mutual respect.

The two sides agreed to continue strategic communication between the two countries on various occasions going forward.