Chinese Vice Foreign Minister says there are still “major obstacles” to restoring relations with S. Korea

Posted on : 2017-06-21 13:39 KST Modified on : 2017-06-21 13:39 KST
In first meeting in 16 months, two sides agree to “strengthen their communication and find ways of addressing issues”
 who is seen as Beijing’s diplomatic “control tower
who is seen as Beijing’s diplomatic “control tower

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Yeshui called for stronger communication to restore South Korea-China relations to a “development track,” noting that “major obstacles” in that relationship have “not yet been removed.”

Zhang’s remarks came in a bilateral vice foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue on June 20, the first since the new administration took office in South Korea. His remarks are seen as calling on the two sides to overcome their current frictions over the THAAD issue and improve their ties.

Zhang met on June 20 with South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam during the 8th South Korea-China vice foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Stressing that relations between Beijing and Seoul were “at an important stage right now,” Zhang said that “major obstacles hindering South Korea-China relations have not yet been removed, and the regional political situation on the Korean Peninsula remains complex.”

“Both sides need to strengthen their communication and find ways of addressing issues to restore South Korea-China relations to a stable and healthy development track,” he said.

Lim replied by quoting the saying that a “good start is half the battle.”

“Since President Moon [Jae-in] took office, he has made it clear that he plans to place more emphasis on South Korea-China relations and work to build a practical and strategic relationship of cooperative partnership,” he said.

Lee went on to outline the administration’s plans for an environmental impact assessment in connection with THAAD - the biggest issue between the two sides right now - and call for a halt to China’s retaliatory measures, sources reported.

South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam (left) meets with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi
South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam (left) meets with Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi

The bilateral vice ministers’ strategic dialogue was first in 16 months. After the last meeting in Seoul in Feb. 2016, the events had been halted over the THAAD issue. Matters discussed reportedly included South Korea-China relations, the political situation on the Korean Peninsula, and preparations for a bilateral summit for the G-20 summit next month.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who is seen as Beijing’s diplomatic “control tower,” also met with Lim the same day at Zhongnanhai in Beijing.

“We hope that [South Korea and China] will not lose the initial spirit in their diplomatic relationship, but continue respect each other’s major focuses of attention and guarding our common interest,” Yang said.

“We hope our relationship can be restored once again to healthy and stable development,” he added.

By Kim Oi-hyun, Beijing correspondent

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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