On November 6, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Seo Cheong-won, President of the Korea-China Friendship Association, and his delegation at the CPAFFC. The two sides held an in-depth discussion on China-ROK relations, people-to-people friendship, and bilateral cooperation, reaching positive consensus on several key points.
Yang Wanming appreciated the positive role played by the Korea-China Friendship Association in facilitating people-to-people exchanges between China and the ROK and promoting the development of China-ROK relations. He also said that China and the ROK are important neighbors and cooperative partners. Over the past 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, friendship and cooperation have always been the mainstream of bilateral relations. This has brought enormous benefits to the two countries and peoples and contributed to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. Yang referenced recent high-level meetings, during which President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang met with ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol to chart the course for the development of China-ROK relations. He noted the encouraging momentum of improved bilateral relations, supported by increased exchanges and cooperation on multiple fronts. Yang highlighted China's recent announcement of a visa-free policy for ROK citizens on a trial basis, emphasizing that this move demonstrates the Chinese government's strong commitment to enhancing relations. He expressed confidence that this policy would further boost friendly cooperation and facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries. Yang also reaffirmed the CPAFFC's readiness to collaborate with the KCFA to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders and create platforms for subnational exchanges, cultural collaboration, and youth engagement.
Seo Cheong-won expressed appreciation for President Yang Wanming's efforts to strengthen China-ROK relations and praised the CPAFFC's long-standing contributions to fostering people-to-people friendship between the two countries. He highlighted the positive reception of China's recent visa-free policy by the people of the ROK and expressed confidence that it would enhance friendly exchanges and further bilateral development. Seo pledged the KCFA's commitment to deepening cooperation with the CPAFFC and contributing to political, economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges to foster greater mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.
Zhu Dan, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC, Hwang Woo-yea, former Deputy Prime Minister of the ROK, and Lee Hun-seung, Member of the ROK National Assembly, attended the meeting.
