Korea-China Foreign Ministers Find Common Ground on APEC Cooperation at Beijing Talks... No Position on Hallyu Ban or Denuclearization

[Financial News] South Korea and China’s top diplomats met in Beijing on the 13th to discuss strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. However, no position was announced on major bilateral issues, including the immediate lifting of the Hallyu ban (restrictions on Korean Wave content) and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Instead, they pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in connection with the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, scheduled for the 18th and 19th. This year, President Lee Jae Myung will hand over to Chinese President Xi Jinping the role of APEC host-country leader, which South Korea held at last year’s summit in Gyeongju.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun visited China on the 13th and held talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Attending the meeting on the South Korean side alongside Minister Cho were South Korean Ambassador to China Ro Jae-hun, Nam Jin, director-general of the Northeast Asia and Central Asia Bureau, Baek Yong-jin, director-general of the Korean Peninsula Policy Bureau, Lee Seon-a, minister-counselor at the South Korean Embassy in China, Kim Gwang-u, an aide to the foreign minister, and Lee Yeong-sin, head of Northeast Asia Division 1. On the Chinese side, those attending alongside Foreign Minister Wang included Assistant Foreign Minister Cai Wei, Foreign Minister Wang’s secretary Si Wei, Fang Kun, deputy director-general of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Asian Affairs, Liu Pengyu, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry’s Information Department, and Song Jia, deputy director of the Foreign Ministry’s Protocol Department.
Minister Cho said, “People-to-people exchanges between South Korea and China are expected to exceed 10 million this year, and bilateral trade has also increased by more than 40%.” He added, “This is the result of both governments communicating closely and working together to implement the leaders’ shared understanding on the full restoration of bilateral relations.”
Minister Cho said, “I hope the two countries’ leaders will meet again in Shenzhen next week, for the first time in 10 months, creating an important opportunity to further develop the South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership into a more mature one.” He added, “As the previous APEC host, we wish for the successful hosting of this year’s Shenzhen APEC.”
He went on to stress, “The Korean Peninsula issue is a vital interest of the Republic of Korea, and peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are in the shared interests of both countries. I hope we will continue to strengthen strategic communication between our countries to advance the situation on the peninsula.”
In response, Foreign Minister Wang said, “Next year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China.” He added, “Taking this opportunity, the two countries will work together to ensure that the South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership develops along the right track and that the peoples of both countries enjoy greater benefits.”
Foreign Minister Wang said, “The Asia-Pacific region is the common home of the peoples of South Korea and China, and China will host the APEC summit in Shenzhen next week.” He added, “As South Korea and China are hosting APEC meetings in consecutive years, we can join hands to promote the building of an Asia-Pacific community and pursue shared development and prosperity in the region.”
Foreign Minister Wang said, “I believe South Korea will make new contributions at the Shenzhen summit,” and added, “Through the efforts and cooperation of our two countries, we can further enrich the substance of South Korea-China relations and add new impetus.” 

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