Senior officials from China and South Korea have held a diplomatic and security dialogue in Seoul. It took place as Russian President Vladimir Putin was set to visit North Korea.
Vice foreign ministers and senior defense officials from the two countries attended the talks on Tuesday. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed in May to hold the dialogue.
It was the first time that vice-ministerial level officials have attended a meeting under the framework. South Korean media say the talks lasted about four hours.
The South Korean government says the country expressed deep concern about Putin’s visit to North Korea and stressed it should not lead to strengthening illegal military cooperation.
Seoul added such a move undermines China’s interests, and called on Beijing to play a constructive role for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization.
The Chinese side reportedly responded that Beijing’s policy on the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, and emphasized that it will fulfil a constructive role in resolving issues on the peninsula.
Observers say Seoul may have sought to drive a wedge between China and the other two countries through the meeting, which took place at around the same time as Putin’s visit to the North.