Ties: Xi sets goal for China, ROK to be 'good neighbors, good friends and good partners'

"Mutual respect" and "cooperation" stood out as two key phrases used in festive messages by the leaders of China and the Republic of Korea on Wednesday to mark the 30th anniversary of the two countries establishing diplomatic relations.

Observers said that the messages, especially the one from President Xi Jinping, reminded the two leading East Asian economies of the necessity to join hands to overcome unprecedented economic downturns and to strive to overcome outsiders' efforts to sow discord between them.

Xi and ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol exchanged congratulatory messages on Wednesday to celebrate the anniversary.

In his message, Xi praised the "all-around development" of the relationship, which, with fruitful outcomes, "has brought major benefits to the two countries and their people" and "made major contributions to the peace and development of the region, as well as the world".

Calling on the two nations to build on such "valuable experiences", Xi attributed the "brilliant achievements" made in bilateral ties to staying committed to four points: great insight that adapts to the changing times; mutual respect, trust, and taking good care of core interests and the major concerns of each other; cooperation and a win-win approach that lead to common prosperity; and openness and inclusiveness that boost regional stability, growth and the basic norms of international relations.

Noting that the world is currently experiencing a "critical moment", Xi said that the global community, including the two countries, could overcome these problems "only through solidarity and cooperation".

The Chinese president set the goal for the two countries to be "good neighbors, good friends and good partners".

Xi said he is ready to work with Yoon so that the two nations can "better grasp the big picture, get rid of interference, consolidate their friendship and focus on cooperation".

Noting that annual bilateral trade has increased nearly fiftyfold over the past 30 years, Yoon said in his message that the two countries are expected to build on the spirit of mutual respect and make their ties more mature and healthy.

China and the ROK are expected to deepen high-level exchanges and strengthen substantial cooperation in areas such as economic security, particularly in relation to supply chains, as well as the environment and climate change, in order to achieve results that can be felt by the people of the two countries.

As travel between the two countries has increased tenfold over the past 30 years, Yoon said the celebrations of the 30th anniversary are expected to deepen friendship between the citizens of both countries.