Seoul's Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will address Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated trip to Korea for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month, along with other matters concerning both nations, during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi this week.
The ministry stated that Cho will travel to Beijing for two days beginning Wednesday, marking his first individual discussions with Wang since the Lee Jae Myung administration took office in early June.
"The two sides will have broad discussions, including Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea on the occasion of the APEC summit next month and efforts to develop the Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership in a mature manner," it said.
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It is widely anticipated that Xi will participate in the APEC summit, a multilateral gathering of leaders from major economies scheduled to occur in the southeastern city of Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1. China will serve as the host nation for the following year's APEC meeting.
Cho's trip to China occurs as the Lee administration attempts to navigate relations with Beijing while strengthening its partnership with the US and enhancing trilateral collaboration involving the US and Japan.
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The intensifying competition between the US and China has placed Korea in a difficult position as it tries to maintain equilibrium between its security partnership with Washington and its economic relationships with Beijing.
According to state media from North Korea, Kim plans to announce a strategy that combines the development of nuclear capabilities with conventional military forces during the upcoming party congress.
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Cho is anticipated to address outstanding bilateral matters during the planned discussions, such as the issue of China's steel installations in the disputed Yellow Sea region, a conflict that has increased tensions between both nations.