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China's top legislator, VP meet special envoy of ROK president

Global Times

S. Korean side's statements reflect a pragmatic focus on cooperation

By Shen Sheng and Zhang Wanshi Published: Aug 27, 2025 12:23 AM

China's top legislator, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, Zhao Leji on Tuesday met with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

During their meeting, Zhao said that the two heads of state have reached important consensus on deepening China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations.

China stands ready to work with the ROK to adhere to mutual respect, enhance dialogue and communication, deepen practical cooperation, expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations, Zhao added, according to Xinhua.

The NPC of China is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with the National Assembly of the ROK to contribute to the sustained and positive development of China-ROK relations, Zhao said, Xinhua reported.

Park said the new ROK government attaches great importance to developing a mature and stable ROK-China relationship.

He noted that the ROK is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continuously enhance political mutual trust, strengthen friendly feelings between the two peoples, bring ROK-China relations back on track, and jointly promote regional peace, stability and development, per Xinhua.

A special envoy delegation sent by South Korean president Lee started China visit on Sunday, coinciding with the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Chinese experts told the Global Times on Tuesday that the South Korean delegation's visit to China demonstrates a high-level and comprehensive approach and reflects a pragmatic focus, particularly on China-South Korea economic and trade cooperation.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng also met with Park earlier on Tuesday. During their meeting, Han said China is willing to work with the ROK to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate strategic mutual trust, expand common interests, enhance multilateral coordination, and promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, Xinhua reported.

Han added that China is ready to work with the international community, including the ROK side, to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and uphold true multilateralism, per the report.

Park said the new ROK government attaches great importance to its relations with China and respects the one-China principle.

"Park's remarks on the Taiwan question reflects the positive side of the Lee Jae-myung administration's policy toward China," Dong Xiangrong, a senior research fellow at the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that South Korean side's statements reflect a pragmatic focus on China-South Korea economic and trade cooperation.

According to an earlier report by the Yonhap News Agency, the delegation, led by Park, also consists of ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon and Park Jeung, and Roh Jae-hun, son of former President Roh Tae-woo.

Xiang noted that the delegation to China is composed of figures with diverse backgrounds and significant political weight, including senior politicians who had promoted parliamentary exchanges between China and South Korea, scholar-politicians with long-standing expertise on China, and leading "China hands" in South Korean politics.

Including the son of former President Roh Tae-woo underscores the symbolism of the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xiang noted. He added that the lineup not only reflects the great importance Seoul attaches to relations with China, but also conveys a diplomatic signal of maintaining balance in managing ties between China and the US.