Chinese media outlets continue to report the briefing by Spokesperson Geng Shuang from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Dec. 6. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)

By Xu Aiying and Yoon Sojung 

Leading Chinese media outlets are publishing detailed coverage of the upcoming state visit to China by President Moon Jae-in. 

The national online news site China Daily published on Dec. 7 a contribution titled “President Moon’s China visit -- Top Tasks in Seoul-Beijing Relations” written by Wang Junsheng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 

Wang said, “One cannot emphasize too much the importance of the Korea-China relationship.” 

“I hope President Moon Jae-in can work to achieve stable development in the Korea-China relationship in order to realize the long-term advancement of bilateral ties,” the writer said. 

Wang also said that, “Both leaders should work together on the development of the bilateral relationship, especially on the three themes: the economy, safety, and peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia.”

“I hope that from this point President Moon will be able to begin building his career as a great statesman by achieving remarkable development in the Seoul-Beijing relationship,” the article said. 

The official government`s Xinhua News Agency published an article titled “How should we see President Moon’s China trip?” online on Dec. 7.

In the article, the news agency said that, “The aim of the upcoming China visit, upon invitation from President Xi Jinping, is to reach agreement on the issue of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.” 

“Close communication between China and Korea would play an important role in the peace of both countries and in that of the Northeast Asian region, as well,” said the article. 

A Shanghai based media outlet, The Paper, published an article titled “President Moon’s China visit, a trip with warm caring” on Dec. 6. In the article, the paper highly valued President Moon’s itinerary, which will include both Beijing and Chongqing. 

It said that President Moon’s visit would help Korea to consider cooperation with China on China`s “One belt, one road” initiative, and that it could also become a way toward recovering the bilateral investment, trade and services between the two countries.”

The article also said that, “Chongqing was a former base for Korea’s provisional government in exile when Korea was carrying out its independence movement against Japan’s colonization.” 

“Through the trip to Chongqing, President Moon will look back on the history of both countries, which could further thaw bilateral relations,” it added. 

Other Chinese media outlets also reported President Moon’s visit to China. They include the People’s Daily, the Global Times, Phoenix New Media and Sina News. They all mentioned the briefing from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that expressed hopes that the upcoming visit would help improve Seoul-Beijing ties. 

***