SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korea and China agreed on Thursday to be ready for a visit to South Korea by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting will also be aimed to cooperate on stalled talks on North Korea’s nuclear programme and on tackling the novel coronavirus.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, arrived in the South Korean capital late on Wednesday, after a two-day visit to Japan.
The South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement after Wang conducted talks with South Korea’s foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha, “Both sides agreed to actively communicate so that the COVID-19 situation stabilises and conditions are created for President Xi’s visit.”
China and US ally South Korea have found common ground in economic cooperation and a common concern on North Korea hurrying to develop nuclear weapons, in the last few years.
Wang said the visit was to emphasise the importance of efforts by the “strategic partners” so that they could work towards promoting peace and stability.
As Wang’s meeting with Kang began, he said, “The COVID-19 crisis could not defeat the citizens of our two countries.”
“Bilateral ties are showing their strength and ever more vigour.”
Kang expressed “hopes” for its North Korea policy, a South Korean official who declined to be identified told reporters.