China wants to work with South Korea to overcome the diplomatic challenges facing them in order to restore a friendly relationship, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday. (Image: Yonhap)
BEIJING, Oct. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — China wants to work with South Korea to overcome the diplomatic challenges facing them in order to restore a friendly relationship, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said Thursday.
“China wants to overcome, together with South Korea, the obstacles currently facing their bilateral relations,” spokesman Geng Shuang said in a press briefing. He was asked to comment on the future of the relationship following the 19th National Congress of China’s Communist Party, in which President Xi was reelected as party leader.
“China hopes to gradually restore friendly ties in each sector and develop the bilateral relationship into something that is healthier and more stable,” the spokesman noted. “China cherishes the development of its ties with South Korea very much,” he said, adding that their diplomatic connection has brought tangible benefits to both countries’ economies and trade.
The comments came amid nascent signs of possible fence-mending between Seoul and Beijing following their friction over the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in South Korea and China’s subsequent economic retaliation.
The neighbors have recently renewed their currency swap agreement and have also entered into talks for President Moon Jae-in’s possible visit to China for a summit with Xi.
(Yonhap)
