Chinese, South Korean FMs express willingness to deepen bilateral ties

China is willing to work with South Korea to build mutual trust, prevent disruptions, deepen cooperation, and support each other's success, thereby safeguarding regional peace, stability, and prosperity, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.

During a phone call with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stated that since the two countries are important neighbors and close partners, China always places great importance on its relationship with South Korea.

Since South Korea and China will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting this year and next, respectively, Wang expressed hope that the two sides will support each other in building consensus, strengthening solidarity and cooperation, safeguarding the international trade regime, upholding multilateralism, and advancing the process of creating a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) in pursuit of an Asia-Pacific community.

Cho, for his part, said that South Korea values its relationship with China highly and will do everything possible to promote its growth.

He expressed hope that South Korea will view the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting as a chance to promote high-level exchanges between the two countries and strengthen cooperation.