1. The launching ceremony and the inaugural plenary meeting of the Committee for Future-Oriented Development of Korea-China Relations were held in a virtual format on the morning of August 24 in the presence of Committee members from both sides and its secretariat staff.

° The Committee for Future-Oriented Development of Korea-China Relations aims to draw up and suggest a roadmap on the direction of the development of relations between Korea and China as they mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2022. Since Korea and China agreed in principle to launch the Committee in their Foreign Ministers’ meeting on November 26, 2020, the two countries’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Committee secretariat have prepared for the launch. The Committee was officially launched on August 24, the 29th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

2. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong and State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi, in their video congratulatory remarks, congratulated the Committee on its launch and expressed hope that the Committee would carry out its tasks successfully.

° Foreign Minister Chung, emphasizing the importance of Korea-China relations and bilateral cooperation, mentioned that the launch of the Committee carries significance as this marks the first step in planning next 30 years of bilateral relations, and conveyed hope that the Committee would achieve meaningful results in opening up new 30 years of Korea-China relations through collective wisdom and joint efforts over next year.

° State Councilor Wang mentioned that the Committee, meeting the demand of the time, was launched at a critical time in the development of relations between the two countries, voicing hope that the Committee members would be able to suggest future-oriented and practical policy proposals after in-depth exchanges and research aimed at strengthening Korea-China relations.

3. Following the two Foreign Ministers’ congratulatory remarks, Chairperson Lim Chae-jung mentioned in his keynote speech that he expects the Committee to be able to set a good direction of Korea-China relations and each Subcommittee to come up with various useful and meaningful policy measures and suggest them to the governments of the two countries.

° Chairperson Zhang Ping from the Chinese side expressed hope that the Committee, through joint efforts of its members from both sides, would actively contribute to the development of Korea-China relations over next 30 years by realizing the goals of deepening friendship, promoting mutual trust, broadening consensus, and strengthening cooperation.

4. In the ensuing inaugural plenary meeting, the Korean and Chinese Chairpersons of the Executive Committee discussed the Committee’s plans for operation, while both sides’ Chairpersons of the Subcommittees on Future Planning, on Politics and Diplomacy, on Economy and Commerce, and on Society and Culture exchanged views on the direction of discussions in each area.

5. Starting with the launching ceremony, the Committee will begin its operation with the goal of drawing up a final report on the vision and suggestions regarding future-oriented cooperation between Korea and China in plenary and Subcommittee meetings over next year and submitting them to the two governments next August.

° The Committee’s activities are expected to contribute to the development of the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership into a healthier and more mature one, as experts from both countries will gather wisdom for future-oriented development of bilateral relations between Korea and China.

6. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to actively support the Committee so that it can achieve successful results through smooth implementation of its tasks.