Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
Cooperative forum for Korea-China future ties launched
Korean members of the Committee for Future-Oriented Development of Korea-China Relations watch a congratulatory message from Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong on the launch of the cooperative forum during its launching ceremony at the Plaza Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Kang Seung-woo
By Kang Seung-woo
A committee of Korean and Chinese government officials, diplomats and scholars has been launched to discuss improving relations between the two nations, which will celebrate 30 years of diplomatic ties in 2022.
Members of the Committee for Future-Oriented Development of Korea-China Relations held the launching ceremony, Tuesday.
The two sides agreed in principle to form the cooperative panel in their foreign ministers' meeting in November 2020 to draw up and suggest a roadmap on the development of relations between Seoul and Beijing.
In the Track 1.5 dialogue mechanism, 18 members, including former and incumbent government officials and private sector experts, participate from each country. Those from the Korean side includes former National Assembly Speaker Lim Chae-jung who is co-chairperson of the committee, and Korea National Diplomatic Academy Chancellor Hong Hyun-ik.
“South Korea and China are close and important neighbors,” Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong said in a congratulatory message during the launching ceremony, held in a hybrid online and offline format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In particular, the two nations have been actively cooperating on establishing lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
Chung added, “The two countries will work closely together to advance the peace process on the peninsula and further promote peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed the committee launch, saying strengthening bilateral ties is in line with the interests of both countries.
“Amid the complicated international and regional situation, stronger cooperation between the two countries is in their best interest,” Wang said.
“During the 29 years of diplomatic ties, Korea-China relations have developed rapidly and have contributed greatly to regional and global peace and development as well as being beneficial to the people of both countries.”
He added, “I hope that the committee will propose high-quality and practical policies that will allow bilateral relations to overcome difficulties and move forward for the next 30 years.”
Following the launching ceremony, the Korean and Chinese members exchanged opinions on how to operate the committee for the next 12 months. The committee will have subcommittees on future planning, politics and diplomacy, economy and commerce, and society and culture.
According to the foreign ministry, the committee plans to hold one or two plenary sessions per year along with multiple subcommittee meetings.