[Correspondent Column] New Coronavirus Crisis: An Opportunity for Closer Korea-China Relations

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As the death toll from the novel coronavirus infection in China surpassed 1,000, many Chinese people are enduring various government controls with fear while maintaining a calm daily life. Strict lockdown-style management of residential complexes has also begun in the capital, Beijing. At the main entrance of the correspondent's apartment complex located in Chaoyang-gu, the deployment of security guards has been strengthened.

The security guards required everyone entering through the entrance to register their entry time, name, phone number, temperature, presence of any abnormal symptoms, and whether they had left Beijing within the past two weeks. Even residents could not pass through the entrance without wearing masks, and even after registering once, they were required to register again each time they passed through the entrance. Entry of outsiders was basically blocked. Measuring temperature and spraying disinfectant on hands became mandatory rituals when passing through the entrance. Although the controls might be somewhat bothersome, the Chinese people the correspondent observed regarded them as natural and tried to follow them orderly. There was a strong impression that they were spending a somewhat cautious and quiet daily life amid tension.

Although not as intense as in Wuhan, Hubei Province, where the novel coronavirus is spreading rapidly, a considerable number of Koreans have left Beijing, which is also tense. Although there is no exact count, it is said that about half of the Koreans have already left Beijing and returned to Korea. Many of them are likely families of expatriates and businesspeople who can manage their livelihoods even if they leave Beijing immediately.

Of course, some large companies have withdrawn expatriates except for key personnel. While it is understandable that foreigners temporarily settled in an unfamiliar land would feel greater fear, there is also some regret about whether it was the best decision for Korean companies to repatriate their expatriates even in Beijing. Ironically, one of the biggest concerns for Korean companies operating in China is how to quickly escape the Chinese government’s controls that have stopped factory operations to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Until the 9th, many factories in China were basically unable to operate, but Korean companies urgently needing Chinese-made parts hoped that Chinese employees would return to the production sites and work as before once factory operations resumed.

Korean companies have always felt regret due to the elusive opportunities despite recognizing that the Chinese market is formed by a huge population of 1.4 billion. The THAAD issue, which erupted just as Korean companies were settling in China, is a painful scar that caused them to lose a lot. Following the THAAD issue, the Korean government and companies fiercely deliberated on how to get closer to China. Although Xi Jinping’s visit to Korea, scheduled for the first half of the year, will help strengthen Korea-China relations, if the Korean government and companies reach out first and approach more closely amid China’s crisis, the current Korea-China relationship could face a new turning point.

It is necessary to pay attention to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Beijing on the 6th, when China was making every effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. During his visit, Prime Minister Hun Sen met consecutively with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, becoming the first foreign dignitary to visit China after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. At that time, many countries were trying to evacuate their nationals from China and were shutting down air routes to China.

Prime Minister Hun Sen added a sweet remark about the background of deciding to visit China at such a special time, saying it was to actively support the Cambodian government and people’s backing of China’s efforts to contain the novel coronavirus spread. President Xi even said, "A friend in need is a true friend," praising Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit itself. China surely understood the precise goal of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit, who desperately needs to strengthen cooperation with China, which accounts for 70% of foreign direct investment (FDI).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.