(Unofficial Translation)

Today at Cheong Wa Dae, President Moon Jae-in met with State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi, who is also serving as minister of foreign affairs. Their meeting began at 3:00 p.m. and lasted for an hour.

President Moon expressed his pleasure at Foreign Minister Wang’s first visit to Korea since his appointment as State Councilor. The President noted the fact that a variety of cooperative measures aimed at revitalizing bilateral relations were discussed at the Korea-China foreign ministers’ talks on December 4. 

President Moon welcomed recently enhanced exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in a range of areas, including high-level mutual visits, the economy, culture, the environment and people-to-people interactions. In particular, the President highlighted the necessity for further stimulating exchanges and cooperation in the fields of cultural content and tourism, areas readily noticed by the peoples of both countries. 

Conveying President Xi Jingping’s greetings to President Moon, the Chinese State Councilor noted that China values President Moon’s upcoming visit on the occasion of the Korea-China-Japan summit this month. 

President Moon said he expected a state visit to Korea by President Xi could take place early next year and serve as an opportunity to further flesh out the two countries’ strategic cooperative partnership.

President Moon explained the three principles for denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula: zero tolerance for war, mutual security guarantees and common prosperity. He also called upon China’s interest in and support for his proposal to transform the Demilitarized Zone into an international peace zone. 

In reply, State Councilor Wang expressed his willingness to keep playing a constructive role to help maintain momentum for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the peaceful resolution of related issues despite the recent difficult circumstances surrounding the Peninsula.