Amid Peak Anti-China Sentiment... South Korea-China 'Friendly Sentiment Promotion' Video Conference

Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Continuously Monitoring Trends Related to Korea-China Friendship Treaty"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a joint video conference on the 28th with Chinese regional missions, related organizations, and experts to discuss ways to enhance mutual understanding and promote friendly sentiments between the peoples of Korea and China.

The meeting was chaired by Choi Yong-jun, Director of the Northeast Asia Division, and attended by representatives from Chinese regional missions, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Cultural Heritage Administration, as well as Lee Wook-yeon, a professor at Sogang University and member of the Korea-China Future Development Committee, and Hong In-pyo, editor of the "Korea-China Journal."

The participants evaluated the recent situation regarding friendly sentiments between the peoples of Korea and China and agreed on the need to further promote friendly sentiments between the two peoples for the long-term and stable development of bilateral relations.

They also shared the view that a whole-of-government effort is necessary to deepen practical cooperation that citizens can feel, such as promoting mutual respect for the unique cultures of Korea and China, enhancing understanding of cultural diversity, and expanding cultural content exchanges.

The attending experts expressed concern over the increasing negative perceptions among the younger generations of Korea and China and emphasized the need for active efforts at the private level, including media and academia in both countries, to resolve this issue. Recently, anti-China sentiment has been rising especially among the younger generation due to biased judgments during the Beijing Winter Olympics and controversies such as the 'Hanbok issue.'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We will continue to closely monitor trends related to Korea-China friendly sentiments in close cooperation with local missions and related organizations, and maintain close communication between the two governments."

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