China and South Korea Pledge Stronger Ties Ahead of APEC Meetings
BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during a phone conversation on Tuesday. This discussion follows Cho’s visit to Beijing in September,marking the second high-level interaction between the two officials in under a month.
Wang emphasized China’s consistent prioritization of its relationship with South Korea, describing the two nations as vital neighbors and close partners. He expressed China’s desire to build greater mutual trust,prevent obstacles to cooperation,and foster deeper collaboration for the benefit of both countries and regional stability.
With South Korea hosting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting starting October 31st, and China slated to host the 2026 meeting, Wang conveyed his hope for mutual support and increased consensus-building amongst all APEC participants. He also underscored the importance of protecting the international trade framework, championing multilateralism, and progressing towards the establishment of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
Cho Hyun echoed the sentiment, stating South Korea places meaningful value on its ties with China and is dedicated to their continued development. He expressed optimism that the upcoming APEC summit would provide a valuable platform for enhanced dialogue and expanded cooperation between the two nations.
Established in 1992, diplomatic relations between China and South Korea have flourished, resulting in considerable trade and economic exchange. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, China currently serves as South Korea’s largest trading partner, its primary export market, and its biggest source of imports.
