China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) appreciate and respect each other despite their differences, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a reception celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries on Wednesday in Beijing.

"This is the way of gentlemen, to get along between China and the ROK," he said, adding that the two countries can build a stable, tough and long-term relationship based on trust and cooperation.

Over the past 30 years, political trust between China and the ROK has continued to deepen, the mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded fruitful results and cultural exchanges have been spectacular, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Thirty years ago, China and the ROK broke the ice of the Cold War with a forward-looking strategic vision and formally established diplomatic relations, opening a new chapter of cooperation into the future, Wang said.

As the world is undergoing rapid changes unseen in a century, the two countries were, are and will continue to be good neighbors, good friends and good partners, he continued.

"If the road is long and difficult, the way will come," Wang added. "Don't stop, the future can be expected."

Noting that ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin once quoted Confucius in relation to China-ROK relations, saying that "Gentlemen are harmonious but different," Wang said that another saying from Confucius is also pertinent: "A gentleman who believes makes it."

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a reception celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the ROK in Beijing, August 24, 2022. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)