1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul received Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Korea Dai Bing, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on February 6. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on Korea-China relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Minister Cho noted that Korea-China relations have steadily developed in the course of continued positive exchanges, and expressed hope that the two countries would continue to produce more substantial and fruitful outcomes through close cooperation this year. Minister Cho also expressed his expectation that under the leadership of Ambassador Dai, the Embassy of China in Seoul would play a meaningful role as a bridge between the two countries across various fields.

3. In particular, Minister Cho emphasized the importance of close communication between Korea and China in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting to be held in Gyeongju later this year. In response, Ambassador Dai stated that he would do his utmost as Ambassador to Korea to contribute to the further development of Korea-China relations, including through close cooperation in the lead-up to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

4. Minister Cho also stressed that, amid increasing complexity in the regional security environment surrounding the Korean Peninsula, it is more important than ever for Korea and China to maintain strategic communication in pursuit of their shared interest in peace and stability on the Peninsula. He called for China’s continued constructive role on this issue. Ambassador Dai concurred, noting that the two countries share common interests in maintaining peace and stability on the Peninsula, and reaffirmed that China will continue to play a constructive role going forward.