Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the Republic of Korea from October 30 to November 1 to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced.
“At the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae-myeon, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the South Korean city of Gyeongju to attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit,“ the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun commented at a regular briefing, China and the Republic of Korea are “close neighbors and partners“. He added that Beijing attaches great importance to the development of relations with Seoul and pursues a stable, continuous policy towards it.
Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the Republic of Korea is his first in 11 years. “This is also the first meeting between the leaders of China and South Korea since President Lee Jae-myung took office,“ he added. “China is ready to engage with the Republic of Korea in line with its original aspirations in establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.“
Guo Jiakun explained that China is committed to maintaining contacts with the South Korean side based on the principles of good-neighborliness, friendship and mutual benefit. He reaffirmed Beijing's interest in strengthening its strategic partnership with Seoul.