Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on September 17, 2025. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Beijing.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sides should stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, remain committed to the course of good-neighborliness and friendship, uphold the goal of mutual benefit and win-win results, and act as genuine strategic cooperative partners.

Wang stressed that China and South Korea are neighbors that cannot be moved away. An ancient Chinese saying goes, "All things grow together without harming each other; all ways proceed concurrently without conflicting."

The development history of the bilateral relationship shows that friendly neighborliness, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and focusing on cooperation are the right choices.

Wang said that China's policy toward South Korea remains stable and consistent. He expressed hope that both sides would treat each other sincerely, strengthen mutual trust, deepen cooperation, achieve win-win results, and properly handle sensitive issues. As beneficiaries of economic globalization, China and South Korea should jointly oppose trade protectionism and safeguard the international free trade system in the current climate of unilateral bullying.

Wang said that recently, a South Korean coast guard officer lost his life while rescuing a Chinese national. Chinese side mourns his unfortunate passing and extends condolences to his family. He added that in June this year, a driver in Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, risked his life to protect the safety of more than ten South Korean passengers, which also drew a positive response in Korean society. There are many such touching stories between China and South Korea, he said, which are worth highlighting and promoting to continuously strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

Wang noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. At this significant historical juncture, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative, offering China's proposals and contributing China's wisdom to strengthen and improve global governance. 

China is willing to work together with the international community, including South Korea, to remember history, honor the heroes, safeguard the achievements of World War II, uphold the UN-centered international system, and promote the development of the international order toward a more just and reasonable direction, Wang said.

Cho congratulated China on 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, and highly praised China's significant contribution to the victory of World War II. 

South Korea values the momentum of improving bilateral relations and is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, said Cho. Taking the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju as an opportunity, both sides aim to further strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in trade, culture, and other fields. South Korea respects the One-China principle and looks forward to enhancing bilateral and multilateral communication and coordination with China to jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

Global Times