Wang Yi, Director of the Chinese Communist Party Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office and Foreign Minister, stated regarding a U.S.-North Korea summit that the United States must change its long-standing hostile policy toward North Korea.

Meeting with reporters today (the 19th) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul after concluding the South Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, Wang responded to a question about whether China intends to mediate a U.S.-North Korea summit by saying, "That is a matter for North Korea and the United States to decide."

He went on to emphasize, "In particular, the United States must change its long-standing hostile policy toward North Korea."

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the meeting, Wang stated that China would play a constructive role for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. However, regarding the mediation of a U.S.-North Korea summit, he reiterated that it is a matter for both sides to decide while urging a shift in U.S. policy toward North Korea.

A question was also raised concerning the perspective that the Trump administration views the Lee Jae-myung administration as a "pro-China government."

In response to a reporter asking, "The Trump administration views the Lee Jae-myung government as a pro-China government; how do you assess this view?" Wang answered, "The Lee Jae-myung administration is a government that safeguards South Korea's interests," adding, "Cooperating amicably with China serves its national interests."

Evaluating current South Korea-China relations, he remarked, "Since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, ties have entered a trajectory of improvement and development," noting, "This serves the interests of both countries and aligns with the desires of both peoples."

He further emphasized that South Korea and China are "perpetual friendly neighbors" and enduring cooperative partners.

Highlighting the Chinese market and geographical proximity, he underscored the necessity of bilateral cooperation.

Wang noted, "China is currently the largest market in the world, and South Korea is right beside us," citing the Chinese idiom meaning "a waterside pavilion gets the moonlight first."

This idiom is interpreted as emphasizing the advantages of cooperation between geographically close South Korea and China.

Wang stressed, "Strengthening South Korea-China cooperation is also beneficial for South Korea's development."

He stated that a wide range of areas in bilateral relations were extensively discussed during the meeting, assessing that "important consensus was reached on strengthening cooperation and promoting the improvement and development of relations."

(Photo: Joint Press Corps, Yonhap News)