South Korea president advocates ‘new era’ relationship with China

South Korean President, Moon Jae-in and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday called for a “new era” in relations between both countries.

Jae-in, who was on his first four-day state visit to China since his election in May, said this while addressing an audience at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

“I wish to solidify the foundation for a new era in the relationship between the two countries based on trust and friendship between us two leaders,’’ Jae-in said.

“I hope the summit today will be the start of a process of further upgrading the outcome that the two countries and their people have achieved through the strategic cooperative partnership,” he was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.

The meeting between Xi and Jae-in is expected to help mend relations between both countries, which hit a low point earlier this year.

This followed the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system, known as THAAD on the South Korean territory.

The two leaders will also discuss North Korea and how to halt its ongoing missile and nuclear tests.

Jae-in spoke of his desire to resolve the crisis “peacefully’’.

China is Pyongyang’s closest ally and largest trading partner, holding enormous sway over the isolated country.

It is seen as key in bringing North Korea to the negotiating table.

Besides China and South Korea, the U.S., Russia, and Japan make up an informal group seeking to negotiate with Pyongyang to end its nuclear programme.

Jae-in and Xi’s discussion come two days after an offer from U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson to engage in unconditional talks with North Korea “ anytime.”

There was a brief disturbance in the visit as a South Korean photojournalist covering Moon’s visit was beaten by Chinese security guards on Thursday, according to South Korean media.

Yonhap reported that the journalist was roughed up by more than a dozen security guards after he was blocked from following Moon as the president visited a South Korean trade fair in Beijing.

He will require “intensive treatment,” according to the news agency.

A photograph of the unnamed man was released by the news agency. It shows him lying on the ground surrounded by men in black identified as security personnel.