The Korean and Chinese governments have agreed to hold a summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, which starts on Nov. 10. Pictured are President Moon Jae-in (left) and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Berlin on July 6. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Sohn JiAe

President Moon Jae-in will hold a summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Da Nang, Vietnam, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is set to be held on Nov. 10.

Second deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office Nam Gwan-pyo announced that, “Both governments have agreed to host a Korea-China summit on the sidelines of the APEC summit next month,” as he briefed the press at Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 31 on what’s been agreed upon in the latest talks that he had with officials from the Chinese government. 

“The agreement is seen as marking the first step toward our efforts to normalize bilateral ties across areas of mutual interest, areas that were stipulated in a statement that both governments issued today,” the security advisor said. He continued to say that both countries are also working on talks between President Moon and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, too, which is scheduled for Nov. 13 and 14 in Manila. 

In the joint statement released by both governments, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to realizing denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and resolving North Korean issues in a peaceful manner. The statement also stresses that Seoul and Beijing will continue to deal with the North Korean regime’s nuclear weapons by mobilizing all diplomatic means available. 

“Both sides see our relationship as very crucial. We will work together to develop our strategic cooperative partnership,” the statement says. The two sides also shared the view that the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation between Korea and China serves their common interests and they agreed to expeditiously bring exchanges and cooperation in all areas back to a normal development track. 

As for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in Korea, the Korean government recognized China’s stance and concerns on the issue, and made it clear that the deployment was not aimed at any third country and that it would not harm China’s strategic security interests. 

The Chinese government, meanwhile, reiterated its opposition to the THAAD deployment in Korea for the sake of national security. However, it took note of Korea’s position and hoped Seoul can handle this issue appropriately. 

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