For a stronger Asia-Pacific community, China and SKorea should forge closer ties

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative Wang Qishan, who is also Chinese vice president, is attending the inauguration ceremony of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday, May 10, at the invitation of the South Korean government.

Back in March following Yoon's election victory, Xi held a telephone conversation with him, during which the Chinese leader pointed out that the two countries are permanent close neighbors that cannot move away, and are also inseparable partners. Those diplomatic moves, particularly as the two countries observe the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, reflect Beijing's expectation to forge closer and more productive partnership with Seoul.