New ROK ambassador to Beijing expected to help boost relations

China has welcomed the arrival of Roh Jae-heon in Beijing as the new ambassador of the Republic of Korea, expressing the hope that he will play an active role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China-ROK relations.

Addressing a daily news briefing on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian noted that diplomatic envoys serve as important bridges for fostering friendship and cooperation between countries.

"We hope the newly appointed ROK ambassador will play a positive role in developing a sound and steady China-ROK relationship. We stand ready to support him in fulfilling his duties," Lin said.

Roh Jae-heon is the son of former ROK president Roh Taewoo, who facilitated the establishment of diplomatic relations between the ROK and China in 1992. He will serve as the first top envoy to Beijing under the ROK's new Lee Jae-myung government.

The ambassador's position remained vacant for months after Roh Jae-heon's predecessor Chung Jae-ho left office in January.

On Tuesday, ROK President Lee presided over a meeting that approved the appointment of Roh Jae-heon. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, a newspaper based in ROK capital Seoul, Lee selected Roh as the first ambassador to China in his presidential term to further improve bilateral relations.

Roh, 60, has publicly endorsed his Chinese roots, saying that his ancestors came from Shandong province in East China.

He has been earnest in promoting cultural exchanges between the two nations, and has served as an international adviser to the municipal government in Chengdu, the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province.

In August, Roh visited China as a member of a special delegation sent by the ROK president, which was led by former ROK National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug.

In a phone conversation earlier this month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his ROK counterpart, Cho Hyun, that the two countries are "important neighbors and close cooperative partners", and Beijing is willing to work with Seoul to "enhance mutual trust, eliminate distractions, deepen cooperation and achieve mutual success".

In an interview on Tuesday, Roh said he will do his best to advance ROK-China relations with great perseverance. "At this moment of profound change in the international order, I feel a heavy sense of duty and historical mission," he said.

On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Dai Bing greeted and met with Roh at the Chinese embassy in Seoul, before the latter set off for China.

Dai noted that Roh "has long been committed to advancing China-ROK friendship and cooperation", the Chinese embassy said in a release.

Dai expressed the hope that Roh will carry forward his father's legacy, respond to the aspirations of both nations, and make new contributions to taking the China-ROK strategic partnership to a higher level, the release added.

Roh said that he is deeply honored to be appointed the ROK's ambassador to China at this critical time of development in bilateral relations, and is fully aware of the great responsibility that comes with the role.