By Sohn JiAe 

President Moon Jae-in, currently on an official state visit to China, held a summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Dec. 14. The two leaders had an in-depth discussion about ways to expand areas of mutual cooperation and how to normalize bilateral ties, as well as about issues related to the Korean Peninsula. 

At the summit, the third since President Moon took office, the two presidents agreed on a new set of four principles aimed at securing peace and security on the peninsula. 

The four principles include “Don’t allow any war on the peninsula,” “Stick to a stance on denuclearization on the region,” “Address any North Korean issues, such as denuclearization, in a peaceful manner by means of dialogue and negotiations,” and, lastly, “Improved inter-Korea ties would help to solve issues on the peninsula.” 

President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands following an MOU signing ceremony in the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing on Dec. 14. (Cheong Wa Dae)

President Moon and Xi also vowed to develop bilateral cooperation, which has been centered on the economy, trade and social, cultural and human-to-human exchanges, into one that covers politics, diplomacy, security and interparty cooperation. To this end, the two agreed to increase strategic dialogues at the presidential level and, also, at the senior cabinet member level. 

Among other items discussed at the summit, there was the resumption of joint projects that had been cut short, such as establishing an industrial complex and raising investment funds, and the expansion of investment among enterprises in both countries. 

They talked about measures to improve cooperation on such areas as the environment, healthcare, education, science and renewable energy, enhance cooperation among local governments and, finally, how to carry out future-oriented projects in such fields as big data, AI, fifth generation mobile networks (5G), drones and electric cars, all to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. 

President Moon said, “When Seoul and Beijing opened a door to each other and aggressively pushed forward exchanges, we were able to enjoy a period of common prosperity. Judging from what both countries have achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, we’ve remained in a mutually helpful and synergistic relationship in terms of economic growth.” 

Mentioning that the value of putting people at the center of politics, on which the Xi administration is focusing, is in parallel to what his government is pursuing, a people-centered economy, the president said that, “Our two countries form a fateful community that marches together along a path of co-prosperity and we should work together to retain peace and prosperity on the peninsula, across Northeast Asia and around the world as a whole.” 

In response, President Xi said that the 25-year-long ties between Seoul and Beijing have brought real benefits to both countries and, also, have contributed to regional peace and security. "I hope that both countries continue to work together to develop bilateral ties in a healthy and stable manner,” he said. 

Regarding next year’s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the two leaders shared the opinion that the sporting festival would help to revitalize human exchanges, and they vowed to work closely to make the PyeongChang Games and then the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, slated for 2022, events that promote peace and unity around the world. 

The summit concluded with the signings of a total of seven memoranda of understanding. There was one on the resumption of Korea-China free trade agreement negotiations, and another on cooperation across the environment, healthcare, energy, eco-friendly matters and so-called "ecological industries." 

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Kim Yung-rok (left) and Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Chang Fu sign a memorandum of understanding on animal sanitation and quarantines, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 14, as President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping watch from behind. (Cheong Wa Dae)

President Moon Jae-in is greeted by children waving flags as he appears along with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 14. (Cheong Wa Dae)

***