On July 6, the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS) and the East Asia Foundation (EAF) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) jointly hosted a think tank symposium themed China-ROK Strategic Communication and Cooperation Amid Shifting Global Dynamics. Representatives from Chinese and ROK think tanks, political circles and academic communities held in-depth exchanges on two major topics: changes to the Northeast Asian strategic landscape following the China-US Leaders’ Summit, and prospects for China-ROK industrial cooperation amid global supply chain restructuring. Mr. Li Junru, former Vice President of the Party School of the Central Committee of CPC, and Mr. Kim Sung-hwan, Chairman of the EAF and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the ROK, delivered opening remarks. Mr. Xing Haiming, former Chinese Ambassador to the ROK, and Mr. Moon Chung-in, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Yonsei University and former Special Advisor to the ROK President on National Foreign and Security Affairs, among others, attended the symposium and shared insights. Mr. Feng Wei, Vice Chairman of CIIDS, moderated the event, which yielded candid, concrete, pragmatic and in-depth discussions in a warm atmosphere.

Participants unanimously agreed that the global landscape is undergoing profound readjustment. While the Northeast Asian region remains generally peaceful and stable, intertwined contradictions have brought mounting uncertainties. Over the past year, guided by head-of-state diplomacy, China-ROK relations have steadily warmed up. The two heads of state exchanged visits within a short timeframe, consolidating the political foundation of bilateral ties. China adheres to the neighborhood diplomacy principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and maintains consistent foreign policy toward the ROK. At the same time, the ROK has pursued pragmatic diplomacy towards China, and the two sides have managed to steer bilateral relations out of a downturn by meeting each other halfway. China and the ROK are inseparable neighbors. Only by upholding mutual respect and seeking common ground while reserving differences can bilateral relations enjoy steady and long-term growth. China and the ROK share highly aligned interests in safeguarding regional peace and stability and advancing global development. Both sides reject protectionism and uphold multilateralism. The two economies maintain close ties with deeply integrated industrial and supply chains, boasting broad cooperation potential in artificial intelligence, green industries, biotechnology, medical care and wellness, which fully enables mutually beneficial win-win outcomes.

Experts from both sides spoke highly of the symposium, noting that this exchange marks the first joint collaboration between the two think tanks, featuring high-level participation and substantial content. It constitutes a pioneering milestone in exchanges between Chinese and ROK think tanks and will go down in the history of bilateral dialogue as a landmark event.

All participants unanimously proposed to seize new opportunities for China-ROK relations, expand bilateral think tank exchanges, and establish a multi-tiered, wide-ranging regular dialogue mechanism between Chinese and ROK think tanks. They pledged to pool wisdom and offer advice on each other’s development and security concerns, continuously provide intellectual support for deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and breathe new momentum into improving global governance and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Mr. Kim Tae-ho and Ms. Kim So-hee, Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party), Ms. Lee Jae-jung and Ms. Back Hye-ryun, Member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea), Professor Kim Hee-kyo of Kwangwoon University, Professor Baek Seo-in of Hanyang University, Ms. Shin Yoon-hee and Mr. Kang Chann-koo, Chief Program Officer of the EAF, and Mr. Lyu Benfu, CIIDS Vice Chairman and Professor at the School of Economics and Management of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mr. Li Jun, Director of the Institute for Asia-Pacific and African Studies at the Academy of International Strategy of Party School of the Central Committee of CPC (National Academy of Governance), Mr. Liu Xinghua, Director of Committee on Chinese Economy of CIIDS, Zhong Feiteng, Research Fellow at Secretariat of China Top Think Tanks of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Mr. Li Chengri, Assistant Research Fellow at the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of CASS, Ms. Shen Yinyin, Deputy Secretary-General and Director of  International Cooperation Department of CIIDS, and Mr. Ke Guifu, Director of Research Department of CIIDS also attended the symposium.