South Korean President Moon Jae-in met with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping yesterday evening and called for a “new era” in relations between both countries.”
I wish to solidify the foundation for a new era in the relationship between the two countries based on trust and friendship between us two leaders,” Moon said, according to Yonhap News Agency, while addressing an audience at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.
“I hope the summit today will be the start of a process of further upgrading the outcome that the two countries and their people have achieved through the strategic co-operative partnership,” he was quoted as saying by Yonhap. Moon is on his first state visit to China since his election in May and will spend four days visiting Beijing and Chonqing.
The meeting between Xi and Moon is expected to help mend relations between both countries, which hit a low point earlier this year following the deployment of the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system, known as THAAD, on South Korean territory.
The two leaders will also discuss North Korea and how to halt its ongoing missile and nuclear tests.
Moon spoke of his desire to resolve the crisis “peacefully” during his speech, Yonhap said. China is Pyongyang’s closest ally and largest trading partner, holding enormous sway over the isolated country.
It is seen as key in bringing North Korea to the negotiating table. Besides China and South Korea, the United States, Russia, and Japan make up an informal group seeking to negotiate with Pyongyang to end its nuclear programme. Moon and Xi’s discussion come two days after an offer from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to engage in unconditional talks with North Korea “any time.”
There was a brief disturbance in the visit as a South Korean photojournalist covering Moon’s visit was beaten by Chinese security guards yesterday, according to South Korean media. Yonhap News Agency reported that the journalist was roughed up by more than a dozen security guards after he was blocked from following Moon as the president visited a South Korean trade fair in Beijing. He will require “intensive treatment,” according to the news agency.
A photograph of the unnamed man was released by the news agency. It shows him lying on the ground surrounded by men in black identified as security personnel.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.
