By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

“We hope to strengthen cooperation with South Korea to promote peace and stability in the region and mutually support the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings,” new Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing said on Dec. 27. 

The post has been vacant for nearly six months after former ambassador Xing Haiming stepped down in July.

“While upholding the international free trade system, I hope to create a favorable environment and conditions for the common development of our two countries and the solidarity and cooperation of the international community,” Dai Bing, who arrived in Seoul's Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, later in the day, said in a written speech released on his arrival in South Korea. 

South Korea will host the APEC summit in Gyeongju next year. China will host the international event in 2026.

The new Chinese ambassador to South Korea 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.”