South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing on Monday, saying their summit was an important opportunity to fully restore bilateral relations.
In his opening speech, Lee said the two countries would work to further develop their strategic partnership and cooperation, following strained ties in recent years over issues involving North Korea and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
He said he wanted to open a “new phase” in bilateral relations, “based on trust” between himself and Xi.
He also pledged to “jointly seek viable alternatives for peace on the Korean Peninsula,” amid continued tensions with the Pyongyang regime, with China remaining an important backer of North Korea.
Xi Jinping said during their joint press conference that the two countries should resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation. He also said that the two sides should jointly safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
– The world is currently going through accelerated changes that have not been seen in the last century, and the international situation is becoming more and more complex and turbulent – the state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
The Chinese president said Beijing and Seoul “bear important responsibilities” in maintaining peace in the region and “have broad common interests.”
– They should stand firmly on the right side of history and make correct strategic decisions – said Xi.
Lee is the first South Korean president to pay a state visit to Beijing in six years.
(Vijesti.ba/Fena)
