Outcome of the ROK-China Foreign Ministers＇ Meeting

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan had a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi, who visited the Republic of Korea, on the morning of March 2. They exchanged views on major issues of mutual interest, including ways to make the "ROK-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership" more substantive, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and regional and global issues. Marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the ROK and China, the two sides agreed to work to make the "Strategic Cooperative Partnership" more substantive. They also decided to increase exchanges of high-level officials, strengthen substantial cooperation and closely consult on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Chinese President Hu Jintao's participation in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in March is being reviewed, and invited Minister Kim to the ROK-China-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held in April in China. Both sides agreed on a slogan, a logo and an annual plan for major events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They also decided to work together for a successful opening ceremony to be held in Seoul on April 3. Minister Kim introduced "Good Friendship Chinese Class," operated recently to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between Korean and Chinese youth. Following Korean junior diplomats' visit to China last year as part of the ROK-China junior-diplomat exchange program, Minister Kim expressed his anticipation of Chinese junior diplomats’ visit to Korea this year. ※ "Good Friendship Chinese Class" is a free Chinese language class held for 3 months from November 2011     to January 2012 for about 60 elementary and middle school students from under-privileged families, run by     Korean university students and Chinese students studying in the ROK. The two Ministers had a candid and in-depth discussion on the North Korean defector issue, and agreed to closely cooperate for a smooth resolution of the issue. Both sides also exchanged opinions on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula including the outcome of the US-North Korea consultation, announced on February 29. The official visit to the ROK by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, the third after visits in August 2008 and February 2011, is expected to contribute to deepening the "ROK-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership."