(Unofficial Translation)

Thank you. I am delighted to meet Premier Li Keqiang. This is our fourth one-on-one talks after the Korea-China-Japan summit in Japan last May. We just briefly exchanged greetings at the East Asia Summit in November, but today, I am very pleased to see once more the Premier, who is like an old friend, and discuss how to promote the common prosperity of our two countries. 

Chengdu is well known to Koreans as well from its coverage in “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” Befitting its reputation as a city of time-honored history, it is beautiful and dynamic. Existing in harmony between nature and people as well as tradition and innovation, it has emerged as the gateway for China’s One Belt One Road initiative and the hub for its domestic and international logistics as well. 

Once again, I’m made aware of the observation that the greatest functioning extends outward, while the genuine form is inwardly full. It’s all the more meaningful to be able to discuss how to advance Korea-China relations and ways for substantive cooperation with the Premier here in Chengdu, the place which is taking a new leap forward in a way that demonstrates the potential of Chinese culture and its ability to innovate. 

At the East Asia Summit last November, you stressed the need for all of us to embrace the sense that we are in the same boat as we respond to the threat of a global economic slowdown. I fully agree with your assessment. Mutual understanding and coming together as one are strengths that can usher in a sustainable future.  

The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea have advanced together through exchanges and cooperation in a wide range of areas – such as the economy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchanges – since the establishment of diplomatic relations. In the process, we have contributed to Northeast Asian peace and global prosperity. As our diplomatic ties are about to enter their 30th year, I believe this is the time for us to further deepen the value of the bilateral partnership we have nurtured and expand it into new, diverse areas.   

I expect that our meeting and dialogue today will serve as an excellent opportunity for our two countries to develop a new relationship, in the manner of the sentiments expressed by Du Fu in a poem: “Good rains know their proper time; coming in spring, they bring forth life.”

Thank you.