South Korea should side with China as bulwark against ‘rampant’ bullying in trade: Wang Yi
‘We should jointly oppose trade protectionism and safeguard the international free trade system,’ Wang tells counterpart Cho Hyun
“In the current situation where unilateral bullying is rampant, we should jointly oppose trade protectionism and safeguard the international free trade system,” Wang said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
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Wang added that China’s policy towards South Korea was stable and consistent. He also called for both sides to act with sincerity, strengthen mutual trust and deepen cooperation while “properly handling sensitive issues”.
According to the South Korean foreign ministry, Cho asked Beijing to help restart a dialogue with Pyongyang, stressing the need for progress towards “denuclearisation and peace on the Korean peninsula through talks and cooperation”.
Cho is in Beijing for a two-day visit, his first trip to China since taking office in July. The trip is expected to pave the way for Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit on October 31 and November 1.
If Xi does go to Apec, it will be his first visit to South Korea since 2014.
The Apec event, which will take place in Gyeongju, is also widely expected to be a potential stage for a long-awaited meeting between Xi and his US counterpart, Donald Trump.