What Yang Jiechi's Visit to Korea Left Behind... Increased Burden of 'Tightrope Diplomacy' on the Korean Government

Confirmed Xi Jinping's Visit to South Korea but Exact Timing Uncertain
Extensive Discussions on RCEP, Belt and Road Initiative... Testing Ground for Neutral Diplomacy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China who oversees Chinese diplomacy, visited South Korea from the 21st to the 22nd, serving as an opportunity to reaffirm Korea-China relations. However, the diplomatic issues to be resolved have increased. While the South Korean government, which had been actively promoting Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to South Korea within the year, lowered expectations by agreeing on an "early realization," discussions on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) led by China and the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路) were brought to the table, increasing the burden on the South Korean government, which has been walking a diplomatic tightrope.

The meeting between Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office of the Blue House, and Yang Jiechi lasted about six hours on the 22nd at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Busan. The morning meeting was followed by a late lunch, and both sides covered a wide range of topics including high-level exchanges, Korea-China issues of mutual interest, the Korean Peninsula situation, international affairs, and cooperation on COVID-19. As this was the first face-to-face diplomacy with a high-ranking Chinese official since the spread of COVID-19, attention was focused on the possibility of restoring the strained bilateral relations caused by the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and China's ban on Korean cultural content (Hallyu ban).

The uncertainty over whether President Xi would visit South Korea within the year, which was the South Korean government's top agenda, increased. Yang Jiechi confirmed that "South Korea is a priority country for President Xi's visit," but did not mention the timing. The Blue House explained, "We agreed to realize the visit early once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes and conditions are met," adding, "Specific matters such as the timing of the visit will be continuously discussed between diplomatic authorities." This is interpreted as both Korea and China stepping back from "pursuing a visit within the year" to "agreeing on early realization" regarding President Xi's visit.

However, regarding Premier Li Keqiang's visit to South Korea in connection with the Korea-China-Japan summit to be held within the year, a clearer stance seems to have been exchanged. The Blue House stated, "Both sides also discussed the necessity of holding the Korea-China-Japan summit within the year," and "They agreed that Premier Li's visit would greatly contribute to the future-oriented development of not only the trilateral relations but also Korea-China relations."

During the six-hour meeting between Director Suh and Yang Jiechi, some of the anticipated concerns were also raised. While confirming President Xi's willingness to visit and agreeing on the necessity of holding the Korea-China-Japan summit within the year, thereby increasing the possibility of improving Korea-China relations, Yang Jiechi explained China's position on sensitive issues related to U.S.-China relations. Given the peak of U.S.-China conflicts over sanctions on Chinese telecommunications company Huawei and the Hong Kong National Security Law, this is a significant burden for the South Korean government, which has maintained a virtually neutral stance.

Additionally, both sides discussed issues sharply opposing the so-called "anti-China bloc" that the U.S. government is accelerating. The Blue House revealed that discussions were held on ▲ accelerating the second phase of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations ▲ signing the RCEP within the year ▲ discovering pilot projects linking the New Southern and New Northern policies with the Belt and Road Initiative. China's RCEP and Belt and Road Initiative stand in opposition to the U.S.'s Economic Prosperity Network (EPN) and Indo-Pacific Strategy. In a situation where the U.S. continuously demands its allies to participate in the "anti-China bloc," it is interpreted that China indirectly expressed a request for South Korea to maintain at least minimal neutrality.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to disclose specific details of the talks. Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously only explained regarding Yang Jiechi's visit to South Korea, "In accordance with the high-level exchange mechanism between the two countries, he will visit Busan, South Korea, and hold talks with Director Suh."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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