Upgraded dialogue boost for trust and cooperation

The first"2+2 dialogue", the foreign affairs and defense meeting between the Republic of Korea and China, was held in Seoul on Tuesday. The dialogue at the vice-minister-level has produced some positive results, which are conducive to maintaining the healthy development of Sino-ROK ties.

The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. Seoul reiterated that it remains unchanged in its position of respecting the one-China principle, stressed that it values and would like to grow the good neighborly relations and mutually-beneficial cooperation with China, and agreed to actively promote dialogue and exchanges at all levels and in various areas with China, so as to continuously step up communication, enhance political mutual trust and advance practical cooperation.

Apart from taking advantage of existing channels of exchanges between Seoul and Beijing to translate that willingness into action, the two countries should pay more attention to enhancing exchanges at the sub-national level and between their youth to steadily improve the friendly relations between the two peoples, the foundation to carry on the two neighbors' traditional friendship and cultivate correct judgment of each other's development.

China and the ROK, having both benefited from economic globalization, need to jointly safeguard the stable and unimpeded global industry and supply chains, reject turning economic issues into political or security issues, and oppose all forms of trade protectionism and moves to build walls and set up obstacles.

Both the crises in the Middle East and Ukraine should serve to highlight the rationality and pertinence of the common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security vision China champions. All countries' legitimate security concerns should be respected, and the global security cooperation must and can only be strengthened through dialogue and consultation. All regional countries should cherish the hard-won stable and peaceful development environment of the Asia-Pacific and take the initiative to oppose hegemonism, unilateralism and power politics.

The world clearly understands how the Korean Peninsula issue developed into the current situation and where the crux lies for resolving it. As a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged, the pressing task is to cool down the situation, avoid any escalation of confrontation and rivalry, and keep to the major direction of political settlement. China has always determined its position on the merits of the matter itself and will continue to make efforts to play a constructive role in the Peninsula affairs.