By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Dai Bing, the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Korea, at Seoul City Hall on Jan. 9 to congratulate him on his appointment and share their views on bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

Ambassador Dai Bing, who served as Deputy Head of Mission of China's Permanent Representation to the United Nations and was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on Dec. 27, is known for his good knowledge of international affairs.

“When I visited Beijing and Chongqing last year for the first time in more than a decade, I saw a lot of changes, and I think there are many areas for exchange and cooperation between our two countries,” said Mayor Oh.

”I hope we will see each other often in the future and continue to discuss the development of bilateral relations, as bilateral relations are very important not only for local governments but also for the future of Korea.”

The meeting ended with Ambassador Dai Bing receiving an embroidered ornament featuring a crane, a symbol of happiness and longevity, and Mayor Oh receiving a mother-of-pearl wooden tray with a view of Seoul.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Dai Bing paid his condolences to the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane crash in front of Seoul City Hall last week.

Mayor Oh thanked him and expressed his condolences for the victims of the earthquake in Tibet.

The new Chinese ambassador to South Korea earlier said, “China-ROK relations are at a crucial stage of inheriting the past and exploring the future,” adding that ”the two countries are close neighbors and inseparable partners, and the cooperation between the two countries has a high degree of reciprocity and strategic significance.”

He added, “It is in the fundamental interests of the two countries to strengthen friendly cooperation. Together with the South Korean side, we will continue to actively develop the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership in a healthy, stable and vigorous manner.”