On July 12, 2012, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan in Phnom Penh, Cambodia during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings.

Yang said this year is the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the ROK, as well as the Year of China-ROK Friendly Exchange. The Chinese side is satisfied with the status quo of bilateral relations, Yang said. He noted that with the official launching of negotiations on the China-ROK free trade area between the two governments, China is willing to enhance cooperation with the ROK for rapid and deep-going development of bilateral relations in an all-round way.

Kim spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations which have witnessed frequent exchanges of high-level visits and continuous progress in the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. He said the ROK attaches great importance to the friendly cooperation with China and is ready to work even harder to strengthen exchanges with China and deepen mutual trust for greater development in bilateral relations.

Yang and Kim also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other international and regional issues of common concern.