Lee Jae-myung and Xi Jinping hold first phone call…"Korea-China relations should develop to an even higher level"

On the 10th, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the importance of the strategic partnership during his first phone call with President Lee Jae-myung. This is the third time since his inauguration that President Lee has held a phone call with a foreign leader, following conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 6th and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba the previous day.

According to Xinhua News Agency, President Xi congratulated President Lee once again on his election during the call held that morning.

President Xi stated, "China and Korea are close neighbors inseparable from each other," and added, "In the 33 years since diplomatic relations were established, the two countries have actively promoted exchanges and cooperation in various fields, transcending differences in ideology and social systems, and have achieved mutual accomplishment and joint development."

He continued, "A healthy, stable, and continuously deepening China-Korea relationship aligns with the trends of the times, is in the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries, and also benefits the peace, stability, development, and prosperity of the region and the world."

President Xi emphasized, "We should uphold the original intent of China-Korea diplomatic relations, firmly maintain the direction of good-neighborly friendship, adhere to mutual benefit and win-win objectives, and elevate our strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level." He added, "This means we must bring more benefits to both peoples and add greater stability to the confused regional and international situations."

He further said, "We should strengthen exchanges across all sectors to enhance strategic mutual trust," and "work closely together on bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination, jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and ensure the stability and smooth operation of global and regional industrial supply chains."

In addition, President Xi mentioned, "We should deepen cultural exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, lay the foundation for public opinion so that China-Korea friendship takes root in the hearts of our peoples, respect each side's core interests and major concerns, and ensure that our relationship always develops on the right track."

According to Xinhua News Agency, President Lee verbally agreed with President Xi's statements, noting, "Korea and China are geographically close, have a long history of exchanges, and are closely connected economically, commercially, and culturally."

President Lee also remarked, "Under President Xi's outstanding leadership, China has achieved remarkable developmental accomplishments, which is truly impressive." He added, "I attach great importance to Korea-China relations and wish to further deepen the friendly relations between our countries, enhance feelings and understanding between our peoples, and achieve even greater results in Korea-China cooperation."

Beijing correspondent Kim Eun-jung kej@hankyung.com