diplomacyWednesday, August 19, 2026event Aug 202 sources

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi Urges US to Abandon Hostile Policy Toward North Korea During Seoul Visit

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United States to change its 'hostile policy' toward North Korea during talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul. Wang emphasized China’s commitment to regional peace and stability, marking his first bilateral visit to South Korea since 2021. The meeting occurred amid ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul on August 19, 2026. During the talks, Wang Yi stated that China welcomes efforts by North and South Korea to achieve peaceful coexistence and urged the US to abandon its 'hostile policy' toward Pyongyang. The Chinese foreign ministry readout noted China’s continued commitment to playing a constructive role in the region’s stability. The TASS report confirmed Wang Yi’s arrival in Seoul as his first bilateral visit since 2021, while the SCMP article detailed his specific remarks on US policy toward North Korea.

Timelines

US-China Strategic Competition

Sources

IndependentSouth China Morning PostAug 20, 05:12 AM
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi calls on US to change ‘hostile policy’ on North Korea

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing welcomed South and North Korea moving towards peaceful coexistence and called on Washington to change its “hostile policy” on Pyongyang. In talks with his counterpart Cho Hyun in Seoul on Wednesday, Wang said China was “always committed to playing a constructive role in the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula”, according to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry. But he sidestepped a reporter’s question after the meeting about whether...

StateTASSAug 19, 06:52 PM
US should abandon hostile policy toward North Korea — Chinese foreign minister

Wang Yi arrived in Seoul on his first bilateral visit since 2021