Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged South Korea's new government on Thursday to "remove the obstacles" impeding good relations amid China's rejection of the US deployment of an anti-missile system on the Korean Peninsula.
Wang made the remarks while meeting with South Korean presidential envoy Lee Hae-chan in Beijing.
Wang said China and South Korea have made immense progress on bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties 25 years ago.
South Korean special envoy Lee Hae-chan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attend a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, China, May 18, 2017./ Reuters Photo
"But this year we've had some undeserved setbacks," Wang said. "We hope the new government will correct the problems that we have encountered and take effective measures and positions as soon as possible to remove the obstacles that have been placed on the road to good relations between our two countries."
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in spoke on the phone last week and both agreed that denuclearization of the DPRK was a "common goal" between them. "We believe South Korea will bring clear measures to improve relations," Wang said.
South Korean special envoy Lee Hae-chan and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attend a meeting in Beijing, China, May 18, 2017./ Reuters Photo
Lee said South Korea fully understands China's reasonable concern over the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system, which has harmed the mutual trust and exchanges between the two countries. South Korea is ready to look for a proper solution to the issue with sincerity, he said.
Lee added Moon had asked him to express his thanks to President Xi for his message of congratulations after the election. Moon also asked Lee to come and engage in deep dialogue on promoting bilateral strategic cooperation partnership with China.
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