Photo: China's Foreign Ministry

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun visited China on Wednesday.

During their meeting in Beijing on Wednesday, Wang emphasized that both sides should adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, firmly uphold the direction of friendly neighborliness, and maintain the goal of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, becoming genuine strategic cooperative partners, according to a readout released by Chinese foreign ministry.

China's policy toward South Korea remains stable and continuous, and it hopes that both sides will treat each other sincerely, strengthen mutual trust, deepen cooperation, achieve win-win results, and properly handle sensitive issues. 

Wang also said that both China and South Korea are beneficiaries of economic globalization and should jointly oppose trade protectionism and uphold the international free trade system in the current context of rampant unilateral bullying.

Cho congratulated the successful commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, highly praising China's significant contributions to the victory in World War II. 

South Korea values the momentum of improving bilateral relations and is willing to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, using the opportunity of hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting to further enhance high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in economic, cultural, and other fields, said Cho, according to the readout. 

In the context of global supply chain disruptions and escalating regional security tensions, South Korea faces new challenges in balancing ties between the US and China. Analysts noted that if Cho's visit can promote the reestablishment of a cooperative framework between the two sides, it will have a profound impact on the direction of China-South Korea relations.

Cho said at Gimpo airport in Seoul before departure that "China is a very important neighbor to us," and said, "We will explore developmental directions for South Korea-China relations and discuss pending issues," the Chosun Daily reported.  

Lü Chao, a Korean Peninsula affairs expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the visit comes at a time when South Korea is adjusting its China policies. The meeting is significant to communicate on concrete topics, such as the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, trade and supply chain, and cultural exchanges, while also serves as an opportunity to clarify the new South Korean government's diplomatic line.

China and South Korea have seen active mutual interactions in recent months. Before Cho's visit, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung dispatched a special delegation to China led by former National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug, carrying Lee's personal letter, in August marking the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik led a delegation to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on September 3. 

Given positive signs of warming up relations and the overall trend of improvement, it is hoped that despite complicated geopolitical reality, South Korea could recognize its true and long-term interests lie in Asia, and cooperation with China is not only beneficial for both countries, but also conducive to regional stability and growth, analysts said. 

The differences between the Lee Jae-myung government and the previous administration in their policies towards China indicate that South Korea currently aims to rebuild cooperative relations with China, while strengthening its alliance with the US, in order to promote positive interactions among China, the US, and South Korea, said some experts. s

On Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing said at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity that it is necessary for both sides to remain committed to the original purpose of establishing diplomatic ties, deepen their understanding of each other and the international situation in keeping with the times and think objectively and rationally about how to achieve good-neighborliness, friendship and mutual benefit.

"We should not be held hostage by geopolitics, view each other through tinted glasses, or even refuse to face reality," Dai said. This is an important foundation for promoting the sound and stable development of China-South Korea relations under the new circumstances.