China’s President Xi Jinping Considers Visiting South Korea to Promote Peace and Security on the Korean Peninsula
BEIJING/SEOUL, Sept 23 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to seriously consider visiting South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency. The visit is seen as part of efforts to support peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.
During a meeting with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Xi reportedly stated that China is willing to work towards promoting a strategic partnership between the two countries. This commitment to cooperation comes ahead of scheduled trilateral talks in Seoul on September 26, involving senior officials from China, Japan, and South Korea. The talks aim to pave the way for the first summit between the three countries in four years.
Xi, who has not visited South Korea since 2014, held talks with Han in the city of Hangzhou before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. He told Han that he would welcome a summit at an opportune time and would seriously consider visiting South Korea.
China attaches great importance to South Korea’s positive willingness to commit to cooperation, stated Xi, according to China Central Television (CCTV). He also urged South Korea to meet halfway in order to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. Xi emphasized that the two countries can deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.
Yonhap, quoting a high-ranking South Korean government official, reported that Xi expressed China’s support for dialogue between the two Koreas and its commitment to continue efforts for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Han, on the other hand, requested China to play a constructive role in its relations with North Korea.
Tensions between China and South Korea have risen following North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s recent visit to Russia, which angered the United States, Japan, and South Korea. In response, South Korea imposed sanctions on individuals and entities related to North Korea’s nuclear program and weapons trade.
Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ryan Woo in Beijing and Joyce Lee in Seoul; Editing by Mike Harrison and David Holmes
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.