[ Courtesy of Blue House]
South Korean President Moo Jae-in and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, exchanged messages to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic normalization. Moon cited a "strategic" partnership while Xi called for appropriate handling of differences.
Moo attributed bilateral ties to "mutual understanding and trust through close communication, exchange and cooperation", the foreign ministry said. He urged a "practical and strategic" partnership that would contribute to co-prosperity of the two countries as well as peace and development of Northeast Asia and the world.
In his message, Xi said enhanced relations have brought "practical benefits" to Chinese and South Korean people, and contributed much to regional peace and development. He said the two countries should make joint efforts "to consolidate political mutual trust, treat disagreements appropriately, and develop relations in a stable and healthy manner".
The two messages carried slightly different meaning and stress, reflecting strained ties over a US missile shield deployed in South Korea. There is almost no festive event with South Korean media publishing gloomy prospects and commentaries.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
