JAKARTA: The top diplomats of South Korea and China, Foreign Minister Park Jin and Wang Yi, respectively, held talks on Friday in Jakarta during the high-level meetings organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The meeting took place at a hotel in the Indonesian capital, where this year’s ASEAN ministerial meetings were being held.
Wang Yi, who heads the foreign affairs commission of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, is representing China at the ASEAN gatherings as the current Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, was unable to attend due to health reasons. Wang, a former Chinese foreign minister, holds a higher position within China’s leadership hierarchy.
Significance of South Korean and Chinese Diplomats’ Meeting
The meeting between the South Korean and Chinese diplomats is being closely observed, given the recent tensions in bilateral relations. Last month, the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, Xing Haiming, made provocative remarks during a meeting with the head of South Korea’s main opposition party. Xing’s comments, suggesting that South Korea would regret siding with the United States in its rivalry with China, indicated China’s displeasure.
The talks between Park Jin and Wang Yi offer an opportunity for the two countries to address and ease the tensions in their bilateral relations. The discussions held on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings serve as a platform for diplomatic engagement and potential resolutions to any existing disputes.
The outcome of the meeting between the South Korean and Chinese diplomats will be closely watched, as it could have implications for the future trajectory of their bilateral relations and the overall dynamics in the region. Both South Korea and China have expressed their commitment to maintaining stable and mutually beneficial relations, and these talks provide an avenue for dialogue and understanding between the two nations.
