China to support Korean security amid thawing bilateral relations

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. [Courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office]

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in China before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Saturday. During the meeting, which lasted for 26 minutes, Xi said that China will “continue to work for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula” in response to Han’s call for China’s constructive role amid concerns over North Korea’s military provocations and Kim Jong-un’s recent visit to Russia. Xi also said he would consider another visit to Korea as a step to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

“We welcome the summit at the appropriate time,” Xi said regarding the trilateral summit between Korea, Japan, and China that the Korean government is aiming to host in Seoul. He also said he would “seriously consider” the request to support the 2030 Busan World Expo.

“Korea and China are good, permanent neighbors,” Xi said. “I hope we will continue to develop our bilateral strategic partnership moving forward.”

“In the face of various challenges and issues such as uncertainties and supply chain instability, we are hoping to pursue mutual respect, reciprocity, and common interests with China and promote the development of healthy and mature Korea-China relations based on rules and norms,” Han said.