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| President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on more high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges during their phone conversation, Tuesday. Xi showed support for inter-Korean dialogue as well as denuclearization talks between the U.S. and North Korea. Yonhap |
By Do Je-hae
Chinese President Xi Jinping underlined his support for dialogue between the two Koreas as well as denuclearization talks between the U.S. and North Korea during a phone call late Tuesday with President Moon Jae-in, according to the presidential office.
"Xi said that North Korea's position announced at its eighth congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea is that it has not closed the door to dialogue with the U.S. and South Korea. He views the situation on the Korean Peninsula overall as stable," presidential spokesperson Kang Min-seok said in a statement. China also underlined South Korea's role for a political solution to the Korean Peninsula issue, Moon's office said.
During the 40-minute phone talks, Moon stressed China's constructive role in resuming diplomacy with North Korea. It is the first time for the two leaders to speak on the phone since May 2020. Moon has yet to speak with new U.S. President Joe Biden.
The phone call was made days after the launch of the Biden administration, which is seeking to strengthen ties with its allies, including Korea, while Sino-U.S. rivalry is expected to continue.
Moon and Xi also agreed to promote high-level visits and people-to-people exchanges ahead of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between their two countries in 2022.
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| President Moon Jae-in speaks on the phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae |
"The two leaders agreed to continue close communication on ways to accelerate high-level exchanges between the two countries, including a visit by Chinese President Xi," Kang said.
During the phone call, the two leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to implementing a wide range of projects to promote bilateral cooperation ahead of the landmark diplomatic anniversary, with events announced earlier by the foreign ministers of the two countries during the visit of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Seoul in November 2020.
"The two leaders declared 2021-2022 as the Year of Cultural Exchange between Korea and China and wished for a successful exchange year to achieve abundant results," Kang said.
"Ahead of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, the two leaders agreed to further promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and devise a blueprint for the next 30 years' development through the Korea-China Relations Future Development Committee."
Seoul pushed for a visit by Xi last year, but it was not realized because of the COVID-19 situation. Xi has yet to reciprocate Moon's two visits to Beijing, first in December 2017 and again in December 2019 on the sidelines of the Korea-China-Japan summit in Chengdu.
The two leaders have kept in close touch by phone and letters, most recently on the occasion of Moon's birthday, Jan. 24.
Moon has put huge importance on improving relations with China for economic reasons as well as gaining the neighboring country's support for his "peace process" on the Korean Peninsula. With limited time in office, the next six months are seen as a crucial period for Moon's diplomacy which while prioritizing the Korea-U.S. alliance, also must respect fostering a strategic partnership with China.
"The Indo-Pacific region has entered a rapid period of transition," Moon said during policy meeting last week at Cheong Wa Dae. "With China, which is our largest trading partner and a major partner in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, we need to lay the foundations for a more advanced relationship this year ahead of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations."
