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China urges cooperation as South Korea’s new president takes office
- Beijing sends Vice-President Wang Qishan to attend inauguration of Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul on Tuesday
- Wang calls for more communication and coordination with ‘close neighbour’ on international and regional affairs
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China’s vice-president has told South Korea’s new leader that Beijing hopes for more strategic communication and high-level exchanges, a message delivered after he attended Yoon Suk-yeol’s inauguration in Seoul on Tuesday.
Wang Qishan said South Korea and China “are important cooperation partners as well as close neighbours” with common interests, and should strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
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“The two sides should … work together to safeguard multilateralism and the free-trade system, and promote regional and global development and prosperity,” Wang told Yoon after delivering a congratulatory message as special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He called for more cooperation between the trading partners in key areas and third-party markets.
Wang also said the two neighbours should take advantage of their close geographical proximity, shared cultural heritage and traditional ties to improve the friendship between the two nations.
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And he pledged more cooperation with the South on “sensitive issues” such as North Korea.
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