On December 23, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping welcomed Moon Jae-in's attendance at the 8th China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting in China. Xi Jinping pointed out, as important and influential countries in Asia and the world, China and the ROK share broad consensus in advancing bilateral relations for better development, promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, and safeguarding multilateralism and the free trade regime. We have always been close friends and partners for cooperation. Over the past two years, bilateral relations have maintained the general direction of stability and development. As the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, China and the ROK should deepen and develop strategic cooperative partnership, and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns to lift bilateral relations to a higher level.

Xi Jinping stressed, both sides should aim to realize high-quality and integrated development, further tap into the potential and lift the level and standard of practical cooperation. Both sides should work together to advance the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategy of the ROK for early harvests, speed up the second-phase negotiation on the bilateral free trade agreement, and deepen cooperation in innovation, research and development to better complement each other's strengths and share cooperation outcomes. We need to make good use of the platform of China-ROK Joint Committee on People-to-People Exchanges, carry out exchanges in such fields as education, sports, media, youth, and locality, and further strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. China and the ROK should strengthen law-enforcement and security cooperation and jointly combat cross-border crimes to maintain social stability and harmony of the two countries.

Xi Jinping stressed, at present, protectionism, unilateralism and bullying are going against the trend of the times, disturbing global governance and threatening world peace and stability. China, as a responsible major country, always aligns its own development with global trends, and is willing to work with all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind through upholding equality and mutual benefit, sharing opportunities and shouldering responsibilities. I hope China and the ROK will continue to strengthen coordination within multilateral frameworks including the United Nations, the Group of 20, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the two countries' legitimate interests.

Moon Jae-in congratulated the People's Republic of China on the 70th anniversary of its founding. Moon Jae-in expressed, this year bears historical significance for the ROK and China, as important progress has been made in bilateral relations. The ROK side hopes to further expand cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, culture, sports and environmental protection, further align the Belt and Road Initiative with the New Southern Policy and the New Northern Policy of the ROK, and speed up cooperation in jointly exploring the third-party markets. The ROK side is willing to strengthen communication with the Chinese side to continue to hand over the remains of the Chinese volunteer army soldiers in the ROK. The ROK side believes, both Hong Kong affairs and issues concerning Xinjiang are China's internal affairs. With a time-honored history of exchanges and shared cultural roots, the ROK and China form a community of shared future. With an opportune time, a favorable geographic position and a harmonious relationship, the two countries will usher in a new era of bilateral relations. The ROK side understands the Chinese side's position on major issues, supports free trade, and is willing to continue strengthening communication and coordination on regional and international affairs with the Chinese side.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula situation. Xi Jinping noted, China and the ROK, with convergence of position and interests on the Korean Peninsula issue, both uphold peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and maintain that problems should be solved through dialogue and negotiations. Both of us are staunch forces for maintaining stability and promoting negotiation. The Chinese side supports the ROK side in continuously improving its relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to inject impetus into the Korean Peninsula peace talk process. Moon Jae-in expressed, the ROK side appreciates the Chinese side's important role in resolving the Korean Peninsula issue. The opportunity of peacefully resolving the issue does not come easy. And the ROK side is willing to work with the Chinese side to advance the peace process of the Korean Peninsula.

Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others were present.