On August 23, 2010, Vice Foreign Minister Song Tao met with a delegation headed by Director-General of Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea (ROK), who are here for the 12th round of China-ROK consular consultation. Huang Ping, Director General of the Department of Consular Affairs and He Ying, Counselor and Consul General of the Chinese Embassy in the ROK accompanied Song during the meeting.

Song extended welcome to the ROK delegation who are here for consultations, saying China and ROK are close neighbors and China attaches great importance to developing ties with the ROK. Bilateral personnel exchange is a basis for both peoples to promote mutual understanding and boost economic and trade cooperation. Last year personnel exchanges reached 4.6 million person/times, which was a result of joint efforts by both sides. Song hoped that both sides will further enhance pragmatic exchanges and cooperation and have candid exchange of views on relevant consular issues during this round of consultation in a bid to push bilateral consular relations for greater progress. He hoped for fruitful outcome to be yielded at the consultation.

The head of the ROK delegation thanked Vice Foreign Minister Song for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with him, expressing willingness to work closely with China to enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation, provide facilitation for economic, trade and personnel exchanges and push forward China-ROK friendly relations.