China-South Korea Relations: 25 years of friendship, cooperation
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This year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and South Korea. The two countries have collaborated extensively to help promote security, stability, and economic growth in East Asia since 1992.
On August 24, 1992, China and South Korea formally established diplomatic relations. A joint statement was released, saying the establishment of their diplomatic relations would help de-escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula, and would also help to stabilize Asia.
China's then Foreign Minister Qian Qichen and his South Korean counterpart Lee Sang Ock signed the statement in Beijing. Top-level visits have been frequently conducted between the two countries. It began with then South Korean President Roh Tae-woo making a landmark trip to Beijing, just one month after the two sides established official ties. China and South Korea also played a key role in the establishment of the six-party talks. Over the past two decades, China and South Korea have been working closely to make collaborative contributions to maintain regional stability.
Over the past 25 years, countless achievements in diplomacy and economy have defined the relationship today, but challenges persist. Escalating tensions on Korean Peninsula and controversial deployment of THAAD defense system. All needs wisdom from both sides. Minister Counsellor of South Korean Embassy in Beijing Chui Youngsam said the South Korea is not seeking conflict nor disputes.
CHOI YOUNGSAM MINISTER COUNSELLOR, SOUTH KOREAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING "Korea and China have very similar minds and goals in realizing the peace and stability in Korean Peninsula. We can coordinate all the detailed and small differences in the future."
Following the DPRK's missile tests in 2016, Park decided to deploy the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, in South Korea, a move which would enhance its alliance with the US, while at the same time causing friction with China.
CHOI YOUNGSAM MINISTER COUNSELLOR, SOUTH KOREAN EMBASSY IN BEIJING "During the last 25 years' history between the two nations, there had been a lot of decisions, and incidents and events and problems. But in the end, we have solved very very friendly and effectively. I have a very firm belief and strong trust in this kind of capacity of mutual solution, and mutual communication and understanding."
China and South Korea's economic and trade cooperation has developed rapidly since they established diplomatic relations in 1992. In 2015, they signed the China-South Korea Free-Trade Agreement and, according to the latest reports, it's having a significant impact on their trade relations. For instance, in the first three months of this year, their trade volume increased by over a sixth, totalling almost 57 billion U.S. dollars. South Korean imports from China increased by 15.6% in the same period, totaling 23-and-a-third billion dollars.