BEIJING/SEOUL (Realist English). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on South Korea to resist economic “decoupling” and pursue a more independent foreign policy, during his first official phone conversation with Cho Hyun, the newly appointed South Korean foreign minister.
According to a readout from China’s foreign ministry, Wang urged Seoul to adopt a “stable, sustainable and predictable” approach to China, emphasizing the need to deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two regional powers.
The 45-minute call, held on Monday, was described by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency as constructive. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership in what officials described as a “steady and mature” direction.
“They agreed to work together to ensure that the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju becomes a new turning point in relations, and to deliver tangible outcomes in practical cooperation that benefit both peoples,” Yonhap reported, citing the South Korean foreign ministry.
The outreach comes amid Beijing’s efforts to recalibrate its ties with Seoul following the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung on June 4. Unlike his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol, who was closely aligned with Washington and departed office in political disgrace after a failed attempt to impose martial law, Lee is seen as more open to engagement with China.
The change in leadership has already prompted signs of diplomatic thaw, as Beijing looks to bolster regional partnerships amid rising strategic competition with the United States. Wang’s message reflects China’s broader push to dissuade key Asian economies from aligning too closely with U.S.-led supply chain shifts and geopolitical blocs.
Observers view the upcoming APEC summit as an early test for both sides, with China signaling interest in re-establishing economic and diplomatic momentum in one of its most strategically important bilateral relationships in East Asia.
