Hopes high on Moon-Xi meeting at AIIB forum

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) conference on Jeju Island is attracting keen attention as it could be the venue for President Moon Jae-in’s first summit with President Xi Jinping.

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance said it is seeking to invite President Moon to deliver a keynote speech at the annual forum, which will take place from June 16 to 18.

“The ministry wants to invite Moon to the conference and is coordinating with Cheong Wa Dae,” a ministry official said.

If Moon attends the conference, he will make his first diplomatic debut there.

The official said China’ Finance Minister Xiao Jie will likely be joining the forum to represent his country.

“Even if there is a presence of figures ranking higher than the minister, he or she would not be the official representative of a member country,” he said.

Observers say a Moon-Xi summit on Jeju could pave the way for the two sides to mend their ties, which have been weakened amid a dispute over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system in Korea.

Rep. Park Byeong-seug of the Democratic Party of Korea said he had a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Sunday, during his participation in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation forum in Beijing.

“Xi said he was satisfied with his earlier phone conversation with Moon, adding he highly recognizes Moon’s political philosophy and that they have much in common,” Park said.

Under the theme of sustainable infrastructure, the meeting is expected to offer opportunities for participants to boost their network through one-on-one business meetings, investment forums and other events.

According to the ministry, World Bank Public-Private Partnerships Senior Director Laurence Carter, IMF Director of the Asia and Pacific Department Rhee Chang-yong, China Mobile Chairman Shang Bing and SingTel CEO Chua Sock Koong will attend as panelists for discussions on infrastructure development.

KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu will also participate.

The AIIB is an international financial institution aimed at addressing infrastructure needs in Asia’s developing and underdeveloped countries.