On January 9, 2023, Foreign Minister Qin Gang had a phone call with Foreign Minister Park Jin of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Qin Gang said that China and the ROK are inseparable neighbors and partners. The sound and steady development of China-ROK relations serves the common interests of both sides and is the general direction that both sides are continuously working towards. Qin Gang expressed readiness to establish and maintain a good working relationship with Park Jin, jointly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, stay grounded in current realities and take a long-term view, stay committed to the friendly relations and rally cooperation forces, so as to work for the steady and long-term development of China-ROK relations.

Park Jin congratulated Qin Gang on his assuming office as China's Foreign Minister, saying that he fully agrees with the Chinese side’s remarks on bilateral relations and expects to take the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and open a new era of mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation between the ROK and China. The ROK side is ready to strengthen people-to-people and cultural interactions and personnel exchanges.

Qin Gang expressed concerns over the ROK's recent entry restrictions on travelers from China, and voiced his hope that the ROK side will uphold an objective and science-based attitude.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged New Year greetings.