Editor’s Note

Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded two-day visit to South Korea has further promoted bilateral ties and contributed to regional peace and stability, analysts and observers say.

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Joint Statement

Source: Xinhua News Agency 

Comments

  Xi's visiting South Korea first

Ruan Cishan, commentator:
I think it is reasonable from a diplomatic perspective for Xi to visit South Korea first. The Park Geun-hye government has expressed they are our friendly neighbors. Xi's visit shows a new direction in China's diplomatic strategies on the Korean Peninsula.
Source: ifeng.com

Qu Xing, Director of China Institute of International Studies:
Actually, the visit reciprocates Park Geun-hye's visit to China last June. Following diplomatic protocol, a head of state pays a return visit the following year. State visits are reciprocated on both sides. China and South Korea have maintained a good relationship in recent years with deepening cooperation, which is beneficial for the stability of the Asian-Pacific region.
Source: The Beijing News

  Regional security and stability

Zha Daojiong, a professor at the School of International Studies, Peking University:
Xi's visit to South Korea is sending an important signal to the rest of the world that the two nations are both committed to safeguarding regional peace and stability, noted Zha.

"The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination so as to serve as a stabilizing force in this region," he added.
Source: Xinhua

Wei Da, expert on international cultural strategy studies:
Xi's visit to South Korea means China has remained calm in the face of recent turbulence in Northeast Asia and the Asian-Pacific region. China has made a good move, considering the situation.

Northeast Asia has always been one of the engines of Asian development, but it has also been a hotbed for armed conflict. Historically, stability and peace in Northeast Asia has been critical to China's sustainable development.

Closer cooperation between China and South Korea would pin down Japan and balance the political influence of the US and Russia in Northeast Asia. The visit will achieve many things in one stroke.
Source: zaobao.com

  Bilateral relations

GT Editorial: Seoul exemplar of good neighbor relations
From strategic point of view, South Korea is a vital pillar of China's periphery policies. China also matters to the future of South Korea.

The Chinese and South Korean public have shown interest in each other, while mutual exchanges have experienced ups and downs. The two sides trade and communicate, while often mocking each other to maintain their pride.

Xi’s visit to Seoul set to open a new era of bilateral relations
Although faced with a gamut of problems awaiting solutions, the prospects of Sino-South Korean relations are bright. It is not just because Xi will break the precedent set by his predecessors by choosing to visit Seoul ahead of Pyongyang. Actually, bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing have steadily improved since their leaders took office early last year.

South Korea has difficult balancing act to maintain
China's rise has been an indisputable fact. Countries can choose to be friends but have no choice about neighbors. The real question is, as a country with long-term close relations with China, will South Korea continue with the policy of "relying on China for economic growth and counting on the US for security guarantees" or adjust its policy to integrate politics and economics?

More: Xi’s South Korea trip provides fertile ground for ongoing cooperation

  Cultural exchange

Oh Yeon-cheon, president of Seoul National University:
"President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at Seoul National University. He will talk to our students and teachers. I think it may have important implications for deepening communication and understanding. The situation in East Asia plays an important role in the prosperity and stability of the world. So it’s not just a slogan, we should make efforts to put slogans into practice," said Oh Yeon-cheon, president of Seoul National University.
Source: CNTV

Reactions

  China's foreign ministry spokesperson Qin Gang:
As a close neighbor to the Korean Peninsula, China maintains an objective and just position on the Peninsular issue, and is committed to safeguarding peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and supporting improvement of relations between the ROK and DPRK. China maintains friendly and cooperative relations with both the DPRK and the ROK, and we are willing to join hands with both sides to foster sound and stable development of Sino-ROK relations and Sino-DPRK relations. This serves the interests of our three countries and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and this region.

  South Korean President Park Geun-hye:
I believe that President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea will produce fruitful and solid outcomes. The Chinese dream and South Korean dream are interlinked. The South Korean dream is to pursue a new era of national happiness. I think the goal of both dreams is the same, and that is an important reason for the two of us to strengthen cooperation. The rivers in China flow from west to east and end in the Yellow Sea, while rivers in South Korea flow from east to west and end in the West Sea. I hope the Chinese dream and South Korean dream can come together and become the northeast Asian Dream.

  South Korean presidential spokesperson Min Kyung-wook:
While stressing that the summit talks between Xi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the fifth such meeting, will help upgrade bilateral ties, South Korean presidential spokesperson Min Kyung-wook said on June 27 they will also focus on how to deal with North Korea's nuclear weapons program, reported the Yonhap News Agency.

China-S. Korea Relations

 
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