Right track for China-ROK ties lauded

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on Beijing and Seoul to expand common interests, improve mutual perceptions between the two peoples, and properly handle sensitive issues, in order to push bilateral relations forward along the right track.

Wang made the remarks when meeting with Republic of Korea, or ROK, presidential envoy Park Byeong-seug in Beijing on Sunday, which coincided with the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two sides.

Noting that China-ROK relations are in an important period of improvement and development, Wang said the two sides should stay true to the original aspiration of the establishment of diplomatic ties, and stick to the path of friendship.

China's policy toward the ROK remains stable and consistent, and Beijing always attaches great importance to its relations with the ROK, he said.

The development of bilateral relations have proved that good-neighborliness, seeking common ground while acknowledging differences, and expanding cooperation are the right choices, he added.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and is also the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean peninsula from Japanese colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945 and that China will hold commemorative activities for on Sept 3.

At this important and special juncture, China stands ready to work together with all peace-loving countries and peoples to jointly safeguarding the hard-won victory that ended World War II, and upholding international fairness and justice, the foreign minister said.

He also called on China and the ROK to make joint efforts to safeguard the international free-trade system, oppose trade protectionism, practice multilateralism, and strengthen communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations and other platforms.

Park, a former National Assembly speaker, said the new ROK government is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state.

And Park said Seoul stands ready to work with China to enhance high-level exchanges, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and bring the strategic cooperative partnership back to the right track.

The ROK respects the one-China principle and is willing to develop relations with major countries, including China, in parallel, he said.