By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing on Feb. 6 and exchanged views on bilateral relations between South Korea and China and Korean Peninsula issues.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho met with Ambassador Dai Bing at the government building in Seoul, and after assessing that the bilateral relationship has been steadily developing with positive exchanges, he said, "Let us continue to work closely together to achieve more substantial and fruitful results this year."

"To this end, I expect the Chinese Embassy in Korea, under Ambassador Dai Bing's leadership, to play a meaningful role as a bridge between the two countries in many ways," Cho said.

As the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is becoming increasingly complex, it is of utmost importance that China and South Korea continue to engage in strategic communication for the common interest of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Cho said, and called on China to play a constructive role in the Korean Peninsula issue.

"Both countries have common interests in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Dai Bing said, adding that he would continue to play a constructive role.

Minister Cho also emphasized the need for close communication in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be held in Gyeongju this year.

In response, Ambassador Dai said he would do his best in his role as Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to further develop China-ROK relations in various fields, including preparations for the APEC Summit.