Photo: VCG

Marking the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing welcomed a delegation of special envoys from South Korea on his X on Sunday as they set off for a visit to China on this commemorative occasion.

Yonhap News Agency (YNA) reported previously that South Korean president Lee Jae-myung would send a group of special envoys to China on Sunday to discuss ways to improve bilateral relations, citing the presidential office.

The delegation, led by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, will make a four-day visit, carrying a personal letter from Lee, South Korean presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters. Ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jeung, as well as Roh Jae-hun, son of former President Roh Tae-woo, will also join the delegation, according to YNA.

“Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea. In recent days, many South Korean friendship groups and individuals have extended congratulations to our embassy through letters and flower baskets,” the Chinese ambassador said on X. 

Coinciding with this special day, a delegation of presidential envoys from South Korea set off for a visit to China, and he warmly welcomes their visit on this commemorative occasion.

“Thirty-three years ago, the elder generation of leaders in both countries, with the courage and wisdom that transcend the times, broke through the ice of the Cold War and realized the establishment of diplomatic ties, opening a new chapter in China–South Korea relations,” Dai added.

“Over the past 33 years, our two countries have actively expanded exchanges and cooperation across various fields, achieving common development and mutual success, and greatly benefiting both nations and their peoples,” the ambassador added.

Dai said that under the new circumstances, both sides should revisit and uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, renew mutual understanding in step with the times, and advance cooperation based on mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Following the establishment of the new South Korean government, China-South Korea relations have gotten off to a good start. We are ready to work together with South Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and to push the China–South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to new heights,” he said.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China welcomes the visit of former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug as President Lee Jae-myung’s special envoy.

When asked about China ’s comment on growing its relations with South Korea, Mao said on the same day that over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the comprehensive and rapid growth of bilateral relations demonstrates that a sound, stable and deepening China-ROK relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond. 

“China stands ready to work with the ROK to cherish the commitment made when establishing diplomatic ties, uphold good neighborliness and the friendly ties, work for mutual benefit, and elevate the strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level to deliver more tangibly for the two peoples,” Mao added.

Global Times