Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of strengthening both bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination with South Korea during a telephone conversation with newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Xi stressed the need for both nations to work together to safeguard multilateralism and free trade, ensuring that global and regional industrial and supply chains remain stable and smooth.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Xi expressed his desire to elevate the strategic cooperative partnership between China and South Korea to a higher level, aiming to deliver more benefits to both countries and bring greater certainty to the regional and international landscapes. He highlighted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 33 years ago, China and South Korea have overcome ideological and social differences, actively promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields, thereby contributing to their mutual success and common development.
President Xi congratulated Lee on his election and noted that the stable relations between China and South Korea align with the trends of the time, serving the fundamental interests of both nations while contributing to regional and global peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Xi urged both countries to remain committed to the original goals of their diplomatic ties, uphold good-neighborliness, and strive for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
Xi further emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges at various levels and across different areas to increase strategic mutual trust. He called on both sides to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, ensuring that bilateral relations remain on the right track for sound and steady growth.
President Lee acknowledged the geographical proximity and longstanding exchanges between South Korea and China, noting their close economic, trade, and cultural connections. He expressed his commitment to working with China to deepen friendly relations, enhance mutual goodwill, and achieve more results in bilateral cooperation.