On April 24, 2013, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks in Beijing with Yun Byung-se, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
On behalf of the ROK government and people, Yun expressed deep condolences to the victims in the devastating earthquake in Lushan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, saying that his government would like to offer assistance. Wang expressed thanks for that.
Wang said that China and ROK are close neighbors and important countries in the region. Stronger strategic communication and coordination between the two countries will be conducive to common development and the wellbeing of the two peoples, work for stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and contribute to world peace and development. In recent years, China-ROK relations have remained in good shape. With highly complementary economic structures, there is great potential for bilateral cooperation. In particular, the growing market in China provides important opportunities for the ROK economy. He said the two sides should make concerted efforts to push for real progress in negotiations over a China-ROK free trade area and form a closer "community of interests"; the two sides should further deepen bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and actively explore the establishment of a "Cultural Community". Wang pledged that China is willing to work together with ROK to constantly enrich, expand and upgrade the bilateral strategic partnership.
Yun said rapid growth in China constitutes an important opportunity for ROK and that President Park Geun-hye and the new cabinet place great importance on ties with China. He pledged that his country is ready to work with China to push bilateral ties to higher levels.
In addition, Yun introduced ROK's views on developments on the Peninsula. For his part, Wang stressed that China's position on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is fair and responsible. China is committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and works to safeguard peace and stability on the Peninsula and bring solutions to the nuclear issue through dialogues and consultation. China is opposed to any actions in the opposite direction. Given the simmering tension on the Peninsula, the priority for the time being is that all parties keep restrained and calm, take active measures, ease tensions and bring the issue back to the negotiating table. China appreciates and supports President Park Geun-hye's proposal of starting a "trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula", and hopes that ROK will make its due contribution to easing tensions on the Peninsula and safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
The two sides also exchanged views on such issues as regional cooperation and the regional situation.