On April 24, 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s foreign minister Yun Byung-se in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.
Yun, on behalf of the ROK government and its people, expressed condolences over the devastating earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province and hailed the excellent leadership of the Chinese government in carrying out rescue efforts. Yun, on behalf of the ROK government, offered 1 million U.S. dollars in cash to China. The Chinese premier thanked the ROK for its condolences and assistance. Li also took the opportunity to thank the international community for offering sympathy, support and assistance for the casualties and property losses caused by the quake.
Hailing China-ROK bilateral relations as one of the most important in Asia and the Pacific region, Li said as the international and regional political and economic situation is undergoing complex changes, it is particularly important for China and the ROK to establish relations featuring mutual understanding, mutual trust, cooperation and stable development. Li called for the two countries to increase communication, deepen pragmatic cooperation, speed up free trade area negotiations and substantiate bilateral strategic partnership. This will not only bring about real benefits to both peoples, but also be conducive to regional peace, stability and development, he added.
On the Korean Peninsula, Li said China is committed to denuclearization, safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and opposing any actions in the opposite direction. Stressing China's support on the improvement of relations between ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Li said China would like to work with the ROK to help ease tensions.
Yun said ROK President Park Geun-hye and the new cabinet place great importance on ties with China, pledging to strengthen communication with China and promote common development. Yun said ROK appreciated China's efforts in safeguarding peace and stability on the peninsula and seeking its denuclearization.