On the 21st, Yang Jiechi's Visit to South Korea Draws Attention to China's Strategy... Securing 'Allies' to Counter the US

Visiting Singapore on the 19th-20th followed by a trip to Korea... Interpreted as managing key neighboring countries targeting the US
Possibility of presenting a 'bill' at the Korea-China summit... De facto pressure on Korea amid US-China conflict

Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau in charge of foreign affairs of China, is arriving in South Korea through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the 29th. / Yeongjongdo - Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party in charge of China's foreign policy, is scheduled to visit South Korea for a one-night, two-day trip starting on the 21st. Attention is focused on China's intentions amid this visit. Given the visit of such a high-ranking official during a peak phase of U.S.-China tensions over issues such as sanctions on Chinese telecommunications company Huawei and conflicts over the Hong Kong National Security Law, South Korea's delicate 'tightrope diplomacy' between the U.S. and China is expected to face a critical juncture.

According to the Blue House on the 20th, Yang will arrive in Busan on the 21st and meet with Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office of the Blue House, on the morning of the 22nd. They will discuss bilateral relations including high-level exchanges and cooperation in response to COVID-19, as well as mutual interests such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and international affairs. Director Suh is expected to request cooperation for improving the strained inter-Korean relations along with the timing of President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to South Korea later this year.

Attention is also focused on the timing of President Xi’s visit and China’s corresponding intentions. Just before visiting South Korea, Yang will spend two days from the 19th to the 20th in Singapore, meeting with key figures including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the Foreign Minister to discuss bilateral relations. This is analyzed as a move to manage neighboring countries amid escalating U.S.-China conflicts.

In fact, there is analysis that Yang’s visits to South Korea and Singapore are aimed at securing allies by strengthening relations with neighboring countries amid U.S.-China tensions. After the Blue House officially announced Yang’s visit on the 19th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) interpreted the visits as efforts to strengthen ties with Asian neighbors amid intensifying geopolitical competition with Washington. The SCMP highlighted issues such as U.S.-China trade and technology conflicts, Hong Kong and Taiwan matters, and the South China Sea disputes.

Yang may request South Korea’s support amid U.S.-China tensions in response to the South Korean government’s efforts to finalize the timing of President Xi’s visit and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula peace process. Diplomatic experts anticipate that China will present various 'bills' during the Korea-China summit, including maritime cooperation aimed at the U.S., participation in Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) strategies, and demands against the deployment of U.S. intermediate-range missiles.

Given that the U.S. continues to urge its allies to join the 'anti-China bloc' through initiatives such as the Economic Prosperity Network (EPN), Huawei sanctions, and opposition to the Hong Kong National Security Law even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this can be seen as a de facto pressure to prevent South Korea’s active participation.

Professor Jung Dae-jin of Ajou University explained, “China may propose maritime cooperation possibilities linking Singapore and Busan while pressuring South Korea to join the A2AD lineup in response to the U.S. freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.” He added, “In response, South Korea is likely to respond at the level of strengthening Korea-China relations and requesting cooperation on inter-Korean collaboration.”

Ahead of the Korea-China-Japan summit, intense exploratory negotiations are expected regarding President Xi’s visit and Premier Li Keqiang’s visit. South Korea is the chair country for this year’s Korea-China-Japan summit. The South Korean government prefers that Premier Li attend the summit following President Xi’s visit, while China may feel burdened by this arrangement.

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