South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a state visit to China, held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 5th. According to Yonhap News Agency, the Chinese and South Korean leaders reached a consensus to hold annual meetings. Lee Jae-myung also posted on social media about taking selfies with Xi Jinping and his wife using a Xiaomi Smart Phone gifted by Xi.
Yonhap News Agency reported on the 5th that South Korea’s National Security Director Wi Sung-lak held a press conference in Beijing to present the results of the China-Korea leaders’ talks.
According to Wi Sung-lak, the two countries’ leaders reiterated the importance of resuming dialogue with North Korea. The South Korean side confirmed China’s will to play a constructive role for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The Chinese and South Korean leaders agreed to keep exploring innovative solutions to achieve peace, building upon this basis.
The two leaders also discussed the issue of China’s construction of structures in the Yellow Sea. Both sides agreed that, since maritime boundaries have not yet been determined, the two countries will strive to hold vice-ministerial maritime delimitation talks starting this year.
Regarding the easing of the “Korean Wave Restrictions” and other cultural exchanges, the two leaders agreed to gradually expand exchanges in fields such as Go and football, and to explore cooperation plans in areas like film and television through working-level consultations. The two leaders also reached consensus on working to dispel the 'anti-Korea' and 'anti-China' sentiments that have appeared in both countries.
Wi Sung-lak added that yesterday’s summit between the Chinese and South Korean leaders lasted for 90 minutes, 30 minutes longer than scheduled. Including the welcome ceremony, the summit talks, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, and the state banquet, Lee Jae-myung and Xi Jinping spent over four hours in exchanges. At the end of the talks, Xi Jinping stated that Lee Jae-myung’s visit is of profound significance and has laid a solid foundation for opening a new era in China-Korea relations.
The report further noted that during this summit, the Chinese and South Korean leaders also agreed to hold annual meetings, and agreed to promote deeper communication and exchanges between their defense departments to guarantee regional peace and stability.