BEIJING, China: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for better relations with South Korea when he met his Seoul counterpart during rare talks in Beijing, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.
Cho Tae-yul’s visit to the Chinese capital on Monday and Tuesday is the first visit by a South Korean foreign minister to Beijing in more than six years.
Xinhua quoted Wang as having said that ties between the two countries have “faced difficulties and challenges.”
He urged the two sides to “understand and respect each other, strengthen communication and exchange of views, eliminate misunderstandings and strengthen mutual trust,” according to a Xinhua report.
He also hoped that Seoul would “properly and prudently” deal with Taiwan-related issues and adhere to the “one China” policy.
In recent years, China has increased military and political pressure on democratic Taiwan, which it claims as its territory.
READ ALSO: Hamas Condemns Biden Remarks on Hostages as ‘Setback’ for Gaza Truce Talks
In April, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said tensions over Taiwan were caused by “attempts to change the status quo by force.”
The comment resulted in a diplomatic backlash, with Beijing filing a protest that Seoul condemned as “serious diplomatic discourtesy”.
Cho said better relations were in the “mutual interest” of both countries and that Seoul was willing to expand mutual trust, according to Xinhua.
The visit comes ahead of a much-anticipated trilateral summit with Japan expected at the end of the month, which has been seen as an attempt to ease Beijing’s concerns about Washington’s growing security ties with Tokyo and Seoul.
As the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea grows, Yoon has drawn Seoul closer to Washington’s longtime ally.
Meanwhile, it was trying to bury the hatchet with Japan, also a close US ally.
Beijing is Seoul’s largest trading partner, but it is also North Korea’s main ally and economic benefactor.
