Xi Jinping meets S. Korean presidential envoy
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E-mail CNTV, January 24, 2013
Vice president Xi Jinping has met a presidential delegation from South Korea in Beijing, to discuss economic cooperation and Korean peninsula security.
The 4-man delegation, led by presidential envoy Kim Moo-sung, delivered a letter from South Korean President-elect Park Geun-Hye, ahead of a three day trip to the Chinese capital.
The 4-member delegation received a warm welcome from Vice President Xi Jinping. It's a sign that South Korean President-elect Park Geun-Hye places great value on her country's relations with Beijing.
Xi Jinping was quick to express his appreciation of the sentiments behind the visit.
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Kim Moo-sung (L), special envoy of Republic of Korea (ROK) president-elect Park Geun-hye, conveys a letter of Park Geun-hye to Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 23, 2013. [Xinhua] |
![Kim Moo-sung (L), special envoy of Republic of Korea (ROK) president-elect Park Geun-hye, conveys a letter of Park Geun-hye to Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 23, 2013. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/site1007/2013-01/24/00016c42b25a126ad1850b.jpg "Kim Moo-sung (L), special envoy of Republic of Korea (ROK) president-elect Park Geun-hye, conveys a letter of Park Geun-hye to Xi Jinping (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 23, 2013. [Xinhua]")
Xi Jinping, Vice President of China, said, "President-elect Park Geun-Hye has sent you to visit China, and that shows she attaches great importance to developing Sino-South Korean ties. We appreciate that."
Kim Moo-sung, who headed Park's presidential campaign, handed a letter to Xi Jinping. It contains Park's ideas and strategic thinking in terms of mapping out the future of Sino-South Korean relations.
It is 20 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and Kim says they've made remarkable achievements. The letter is also thought to convey Park's strategic vision on Korean Peninsula issues.
In the light of Park's election, some observers say South Korea could relax sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to ease tensions.
Yang Bojiang, research professor of Institute of Japanese Studies, CASS, said, "In regional diplomacy, China has become an important partner of South Korea. Both countries play a vital role in regional cooperation including trilateral relations with Japan on FTA talks. "
Park Geun-Hye is the only top South Korean leader to have visited the DPRK. The experience could help her resolve disputes in a more subtle way.
The UN Security Council has now passed a resolution on last month's satellite launch by the DPRK. China says all parties concerned must stay calm, and restart the six-party talks. Major players like South Korea and Japan and China definitely have a lot to talk about.
Kim's visit to China reflected the great importance Park has placed on developing China-ROK relations. With a new leader to take office in Seoul, the two countries are looking to enhance strategic and political trust in multiple fields.
