Chinese President Xi Jinping is seriously considering a visit to South Korea in conjunction with the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, a senior official from China’s top legislature said Thursday.
Losang Jamcan, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik in Seoul.
“President Xi places great importance on a potential visit to South Korea in conjunction with the APEC summit. It is important to maintain close communication on this matter,” Losang was quoted as saying by Woo’s office.
“China maintains a positive attitude toward bilateral cultural exchanges. The two sides should continue to build on the recent momentum of active exchanges and cooperation,” he added.
Woo asked for China’s continued attention to Xi’s potential trip to South Korea.
South Korea is scheduled to host the APEC summit in Gyeongju, about 275 kilometers southeast of Seoul, from late October to early November. China is the host for the multilateral gathering next year.
Speaking of the bilateral free trade agreement, which marked its 10th anniversary this year, Woo called for joint efforts to accelerate follow-up negotiations on services and investment that are expected to help enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
Woo also asked for China’s support for South Korean firms to do business in China “under stable and predictable circumstances,” his office said. (Yonhap)
