BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping called on his visiting South Korean counterpart to join Beijing in making the “right strategic choices” in a world that is “becoming more complex and turbulent”, state media reported. Beijing and Seoul “bear important responsibilities” in upholding peace in the region, Xi said, noting that the sides “have broad common interests”. “They should firmly stand on the right side of history and make the right strategic choices.”
The South Korean leader then said he wished to open a “new phase” in relations, “based on the trust” between himself and Xi. And he vowed to “seek feasible alternatives together for peace on the Korean Peninsula”, footage broadcast by Seoul’s Yonhap news agency showed.
The leaders then witnessed the signing of “15 cooperation documents” spanning technological innovation, the environment, transportation and trade, Xinhua said. A state banquet followed the signing of the agreements, the report added. Lee hopes to secure pledges to expand economic cooperation with his country’s largest trading partner. He has called for South Korea and China to work towards “more horizontal and mutually beneficial” trade. — AFP
