Chinese FM meets special envoy of ROK president

BEIJING -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday met with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that after the inauguration of the new ROK government, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with President Lee Jae-myung, during which they reached important consensus on promoting the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations in the next step.

Wang noted that China maintains stability and continuity in its policy towards the ROK, urging both sides to adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, firmly uphold the direction of friendship, expand common interests, foster greater goodwill, properly handle sensitive issues, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations in the right track.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with all peace-loving countries and people to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice.

Wang called on both sides to safeguard the international free trade system together, jointly oppose trade protectionism, practice the concept of multilateralism, enhance communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations and others, and effectively respond to regional and even global challenges.

Park Byeong-seug asked Wang to forward the letter from President Lee Jae-myung to President Xi.

He said that the new ROK government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to work together with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance high-level exchanges, expand practical cooperation for the future, increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, youth and other fields, and bring the strategic cooperative partnership between the ROK and China back on track.

The ROK always respected the one-China principle and is willing to develop relations with China and other major countries in parallel to jointly maintain regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, he added.