China committed to developing relations with ROK, ministry says

China remains committed to developing its ties with the Republic of Korea and hopes the ROK will work with it to restore the sound growth of bilateral relations, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday.

Mao's remarks came after ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin said on Sunday during an interview that the government of President Yoon Suk-yeol sees no need and has no intention to sour ties with China, and it will continue to step up communication with China to boost friendly ties.

The Yoon Suk-yeol government's basic stance is to advance the ROK-China relationship into a mature and healthy one "based on mutual respect, reciprocity and common interest", the ROK minister was quoted by Yonhap News Agency as saying.

During a regular news conference, Mao said that China and the ROK are "friendly neighbors and each other's important cooperation partners", and the sound and steady growth of bilateral ties serves the interests of both countries.

Bilateral relations are currently facing some difficulties, and the crux of it is clear, according to Mao. China values its relations with the ROK and remains committed to growing those ties. There has been no change in that basic position, she said.

"We hope the ROK will make concerted efforts with China to bring bilateral relations back to the track of sound growth," she added.

China-ROK relations have soured over the past few months. Earlier this month, the two countries summoned each other's envoys in a diplomatic spat.

According to reports, two ROK airlines — Korean Air and Asiana Airlines — plan to temporarily suspend some flight routes between the countries within the next two months.

China has said it is not to blame for the current difficulties and challenges facing bilateral relations. It has urged the ROK to have an in-depth understanding of where the problem lies and seriously deal with it.