Chinese, S. Korean FMs discuss bilateral relations

BEIJING: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephone conversation with Chung Eui-yong, South Korea’s new foreign minister, on bilateral relations and the Korean Peninsula issue, Chinese State media reported on Wednesday.
Noting that China and South Korea are each other’s important neighbors and strategic cooperative partners, Wang said that under the care and guidance of the top leaders of both countries and with the joint efforts of both sides, the relationship between the two countries is pressing ahead toward achieving common development, dedicating to regional peace, joining efforts to rejuvenate Asia, and promoting world prosperity.
This year marks the opening of the China-South Korea Year of Cultural Exchanges, Wang said, adding that the next year will see the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea, which is of great significance to bilateral relations.
The two heads of state held a telephone conversation again at the beginning of the new year to jointly launch the China-South Korea Year of Cultural Exchanges and reached new and important consensus on strengthening exchanges and cooperation in various fields, making a good start for the development of bilateral relations throughout the year, Wang said.
As the current international and regional situation is changing rapidly, the two sides should strengthen communication and cooperation, implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, and push the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level in keeping up with the times, Wang said. – Agencies