S. Korea, China Still Negotiating President Xi’s Visit Schedule to Seoul

China’s foreign ministry said on June 19 that South Korea and China are still arranging the specific schedule for President Xi Jinping’s visit to South Korea with a hope that the trip will strengthen the bilateral relations of the two nations.

The Chinese leader has been widely expected to make a state visit to South Korea in the first week of July for a summit meeting with President Park Geun-hye. Japanese media, including Kyodo News Agency, reported earlier in the day that President Xi will make a two-day visit to Seoul from July 3.

Asked about the Japanese media reports at a regular press briefing, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said to reporters, “The two sides are in close communication on the specific date of the visit,” adding that the information would be released in a timely manner.

Hua went on to say, “Through President Xi’s visit to South Korea, we hope that we can further promote the development of our bilateral relationship so that we can make a positive contribution to the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific as a whole.”

The top agenda of the forthcoming summit is expected to include North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and ongoing free trade negotiations between Seoul and Beijing.