High-level meeting sets stage for warmer ties
Updated: 2013-06-27 08:50
(China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
Republic of Korea President Park Geun-hye arrived today in China for a state visit that is seen as crucial by both sides.
She will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during her stay in Beijing to develop a blueprint for a shared vision of regional prosperity and security. Her arrival comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating 20 years of diplomatic ties.
In addition, new administrations took office in both countries at the beginning of this year.
With the world's attention focused on the nuclear program of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a summit between the two heads of state is expected to be a milestone for relations in the region.
The personal relationship between Park and her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping dates back to before they came into office. And since taking up their posts, they have maintained close relations through the exchange of special envoys and personal letters as well as telephone conversations.
Park has ample knowledge of China and holds a favorable view of the country. According to her memoir, she made four visits to China in the mid-2000s and had many opportunities to meet with Chinese people, including a lecture at Peking University.
The first special envoy sent by Park's administration was dispatched to China, showing the nation's significance to the current ROK government.
During the summit, the two presidents are expected to evaluate the development of bilateral ties over the past 20 years. It is also believed that they will come to an agreement on a common vision for the direction of bilateral relations over the next five years and beyond.
The summit is expected to serve as an opportunity for both countries to push forward an agenda of de-nuclearization as well as the promotion of peace, cooperation and shared prosperity in Northeast Asia.
Economic cooperation is also expected to be a key talking point at the summit. With $215.1 billion in trade last year, China is currently ROK's largest trading partner.
Other topics likely to come up in discussion include ways to expand mutual trade and investment through measures like a forum on a Korea-China free trade area.
The two sides will also discuss potential scientific and technological partnerships in such fields as IT and telecommunications as well as cooperation on the environment, finance and energy.
In addition, the leaders are expected to talk about strengthening cultural exchanges and related cooperation as well as increasing people-to-people exchanges through tourism.
South China Morning Post
Related Stories
S Korea, China to hold 6th FTA talks in Busan 2013-06-25 15:08
Dalian pushes Russia and South Korea tourism 2013-05-27 11:02
Korean Air opens Seoul – Lijiang direct air route 2013-05-22 15:55
Today's Top News
Door opens on better homes for poor
Long lost weekend
Space dream closer to reality
Crime on the rise with new synthetic drugs
Prices climb as police crack down
Park sees blueprint for ties
27 killed as rioting hits Xinjiang
Tougher punishments for polluters proposed
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Yunnan brews up cups of success |
Getting the point of TCM |
Highlights of luxury China 2013 |
Recovery gives youth new chance at life |
Passing down the business |
Pumping up power of consumption |