President Moon Jae-in met with Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Liu Yandong at Cheong Wa Dae today. The Chinese Vice Premier was visiting Korea to attend the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games yesterday.

At the meeting, President Moon asked the Chinese side for active support and cooperation in regard to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, inter-Korean talks to build peace and U.S.-North Korea dialogue to that end.

The President highlighted the necessity of sustaining the momentum built following the inter-Korean talks on the occasion of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics even after the close of the event.

President Moon expressed his appreciation to the Vice Premier for attending the closing ceremony of the PyeongChang Olympics in the capacity of a special envoy. The President said that China has made contributions to the success of the Olympics by sending delegations led by a premier-level official to both the opening and closing ceremony. The President went on to say that he himself evaluated the Olympics a huge success and that the goal of turning the PyeongChang Games into an Olympics of peace, culture and information and communications technology (ICT) was realized.  

The President continued that the Olympic Flag had now been handed over to China. Noting that Korea would do its best to work together for the success of the Beijing Olympics, President Moon wished the Beijing Winter Games success. 

In reply, the Vice Premier said the remarkable success of the PyeongChang Olympics, through which the Olympic spirit of peace, harmony and friendship was realized, was attributable to President Moon`s leadership and Korea`s meticulous preparations. Saying that the PyeongChang Olympics served as an opportunity to ease tensions in inter-Korean relations and on the Korean Peninsula, the Vice Premier added that the PyeongChang Games would be long remembered by many people. 

Noting that Korea and China were close and friendly neighbors, Vice Premier Liu said she was looking forward to continued support and help from Korea for China’s hosting of the next Winter Olympics. She added that she would work together for the development of the Olympics and the improvement of conditions on the Korean Peninsula. 

Among the attendees from the Chinese side were Chinese Ambassador to Korea Qiu Guohong; Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council Jiang Xiaojuan; Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Baodong, and Deputy Director of the State Sports General Administration Gao Zhidan. 

Those from the Korean side included First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam; Second Deputy Director of National Security Nam Gwan-pyo; Secretary to the President for Foreign Policy Shin Chae-hyun; Secretary to the President for Educational and Cultural Affairs Kim Hong-soo, and Cheong Wa Dae Spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom.