Wang Yi urges Seoul to keep China-friendly course
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House in Seoul during his two-day visit to South Korea, calling Lee’s move to steer bilateral ties back onto a normal track a correct decision. Wang said China-South Korea relations had fully recovered this year and made positive progress, and he urged Seoul to firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China while advancing the strategic cooperative partnership. He also called for the early completion of second-phase negotiations on the bilateral free trade agreement to support regional economic integration amid rising protectionism and global economic fragmentation. Lee said the two countries should become interdependent and mutually complementary partners, and expressed hope of using the November APEC leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen to lift ties to a higher level.
Key Points
- Wang met Lee at the Blue House in Seoul on August 20, after arriving in the South Korean capital on August 19 for a two-day visit
- Wang praised Lee for pushing China-South Korea relations back to a normal track after taking office, calling it a correct and pragmatic choice.
- He said both countries should act as examples by speeding up second-phase free trade agreement talks and promoting inclusive economic globalization.
- Lee said bilateral trade and economic cooperation remained strong, and that cooperation in commerce and security served both countries’ fundamental interests.
- According to Sing Tao’s account citing Yonhap and South Korean officials, Lee hopes to attend the November APEC meeting in Shenzhen and meet President Xi Jinping again there
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, closer China-South Korea coordination on trade and regional integration could affect supply chains, investment sentiment and export-linked business across East Asia. Any progress before the November APEC meeting in Shenzhen may also shape the wider diplomatic and commercial environment in which Hong Kong operates as an international trading and financial hub