BEIJING — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told South Korea on Aug. 20 to avoid choosing between Beijing and Washington, while urging the United States to drop what he called a hostile policy toward North Korea to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Wang made the remarks during meetings in Seoul with South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and President Lee Jae Myung, according to Xinhua. He said the “fundamental solution” to peninsula tensions lies in addressing root causes and pushing Washington to change course on Pyongyang.
He also called on South Korea to pursue genuine strategic autonomy and maintain parallel ties with both China and the United States without taking sides. South Korea said Wang described bilateral ties as having “fully recovered,” and both sides discussed deeper economic cooperation and a possible summit later this year.
The talks came after President Donald Trump said he planned to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later in 2026 and after North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles, prompting Seoul to order full military readiness during joint drills with the United States