Suggestion for development of Korea-China relations revealed in congratulatory speech at seminar
Experts advise, “We need to lower the visa threshold for Koreans”
Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming promised support to revitalize Korea-China exchanges on the 11th, saying, “We will eliminate the waiting period for Koreans to apply for visas.”
Ambassador Singh delivered a congratulatory speech while attending the ‘Korea-China Relations Development Suggestion Seminar and 15th Anniversary Ceremony of Monthly China’ held by the Korea-China Friendship Association General Assembly together with the Chinese Embassy in Korea and the Chinese Foreign Affairs Bureau at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul this morning. This was revealed through .
Ambassador Singh said, “With the end of COVID-19, exchanges between the people of both China and Korea are rapidly recovering,” adding, “Not long ago, China resumed group tours of Chinese tourists to Korea. “In addition, we have introduced a series of measures to ensure smooth traffic,” he said.
He also said, “Last (China’s) Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays also became a golden week to revitalize China-Korea exchanges and promote civil friendship,” adding, “During this period, Korean citizens visit China to support the Asian Games, and Chinese people also visit China.” “It created a warm scene where people came to Korea and enjoyed traveling and vacationing,” he said.
He said, “Normally, Koreans wait for about five days to apply for a visa to go to China, but we will eliminate that,” adding, “If you apply, you will receive it without waiting.” He added, “China will continue to make efforts to ensure convenience for the people of the two countries to travel between the two countries.”
About 50 people from all walks of life from both Korea and China attended the event. Former Korean Ambassador to China Kwon Byeong-hyun said in his congratulatory speech, “Continued efforts and cooperation from all of us are needed for a bright future for both countries.”
Gao Anming, deputy director of the China Foreign Affairs Bureau, promised in a video congratulatory speech, “We will continue to strive to advance China-Korea relations to a new level through various activities for friendly exchange between the two countries.”
At the seminar that day, suggestions for improving relations between the two countries were also made. Kim Yong-kyung, a professor at Sejong University, said, “History is a field that cannot be compromised, but we need to approach it with a two-track approach. It is also important to show determination to improve Korea-China relations, as President Yoon Seok-yeol did in Korea-Japan relations.”
In addition, he emphasized, “Japanese people can visit China without a visa, but Koreans still have to apply for a visa,” adding, “We need determination to lower the threshold and allow diverse exchanges.”
Lee Seong, an advisor to the Korea-China Global Association, said, “Anti-Japanese and anti-Americanism have a long historical foundation, while anti-China sentiment spread instantly as if it came out of nowhere.” He added, “The two countries’ governments, social groups, companies, and schools are promoting various exchanges and cooperation with a sense of mission and responsibility. “We must plan and operate,” he urged.
Source: Donga
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