On Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Beijing, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met with ROK Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan to turbocharge their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks. 🌏🤝
Both sides agreed to accelerate second-phase negotiations of the China-ROK FTA, building on a recent consensus reached by their leaders to keep bilateral relations on a steady growth path. Here’s what they’re focusing on:
- Strengthening traditional sectors like manufacturing and agriculture 💼
- Exploring hot new markets in high-tech and green industries 🌱💡
- Deepening subnational cooperation between provinces and regions 🏙️
- Upgrading industrial and supply chains for smoother trade 🚚
Minister Wang highlighted that the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China laid out a five-year development roadmap. China remains committed to high-standard opening up, creating more space for collaboration with the ROK.
Kim Jung-kwan echoed the call for speedy negotiations, stressing stable and resilient supply chains, and enhanced dialogue on trade remedies. He also praised the regional and global frameworks—World Trade Organization (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)—as pillars for a robust multilateral trading system.
Bonus news: the ROK supports China in hosting the 2026 APEC Leaders’ Meeting and is ready to share its event-hosting expertise. 🎉
Next steps? Both sides aim for an early wrap-up of second-phase talks and hope to unlock new growth drivers that benefit businesses and consumers on both shores of the Yellow Sea.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
