Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan, who is in Hungary for the 10th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting, met with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi at Hotel Sofitel in Budapest on June 6. In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual concern, including ways to develop the Korea-China strategic and cooperative partnership, and to work together on the international stage as well as the current situation on the Korean peninsula.
The two sides appreciated continued strides in the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership in a wide range of fields, including politics, economy, society, and culture, through frequent high-level exchanges, such as the meeting between President Lee Myung-bak and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the Korea-Japan-China Summit last May and the official visit to China by Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik in April. They also agreed to make efforts for further development of bilateral ties.
With the two delegations seeing eye to eye on the need to further expand high-level exchanges for the development of bilateral ties, the Chinese side reiterated its intention to invite President Lee to the country and to positively consider accepting Korea's invitation extended to high-level officials, such as Vice Premiers Li Keqiang and Wang Qishan, and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu, to visit Korea within this year.
Expressing appreciation for the Chinese side's invitation of President Lee to the country, Minister Kim invited Minister Yang to make a second visit to Korea in the latter half of this year to consolidate the annual exchange of visits by the Korean and Chinese Foreign Ministers. Minister Yang reiterated hope to resume inter-governmental negotiations on a Korea-China FTA at an early date. The two sides agreed to arrange a variety of meaningful events to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2012 and to accelerate working-level preparations to this end.
With regard to the situation on the Korean peninsula, the two sides exchanged a wide range of views on the outcome of Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong-il's visit to China last May and the recent inter-Korean relations. Minister Kim appreciated the Chinese government's efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and improve inter-Korean relations. Furthermore, he explained the Korean government's intent to continuously seek dialogue with North Korea despite the recent hard-line stance of the North. He asked China to continue support for close consultation between the two Koreas.
Taking note of the Korean government's efforts toward inter-Korean dialogue, Minister Yang stressed the need for close communication between Korea and China in a bid to maintain peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. The two sides agreed to hold another Foreign Ministers' meeting this coming July on the sidelines of the ARF Foreign Ministers' Meeting for further consultation on issues involving the Korean peninsula.
Minister Yang voiced China's strong support for the success of the Expo 2012 Yeosu, the "Visit Korea Year" in China and the Asian Games Incheon 2014. The two delegations agreed to actively promote cooperation on various international stages. Frequent consultations between senior Foreign Ministry officials of Korea and China, such as the latest 5th Foreign Ministers' Meeting, are expected to greatly contribute to boosting the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership.
