South Korea should not fear China’s rise, says foreign minister

South Korea should not fear China's growing influence, according to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who urged deeper cooperation with Beijing during a recent visit. Cho's remarks followed a meeting and dinner with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, their first in about three months. During the talks, both ministers discussed bilateral ties, issues on the Korean Peninsula, and ways to provide tangible benefits to citizens in both nations.

The meeting took place ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, where South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will attend. Cho emphasized that Seoul should build upon the autonomy and creativity of its people and companies to create a win-win situation for both countries. The Chinese side expressed its interest in expanding cooperation with South Korea in traditional industries and emerging sectors, such as artificial intelligence and biomedicine.