China, Yoon Administration Must Demonstrate Autonomous Diplomatic Actions

China Watches Closely as South Korea's New Government Launches... Must Pursue Balanced Diplomacy Between the US and China
Wang Qishan's Attendance at Vice President Inauguration Ceremony Shows China's Diplomatic Courtesy

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese state media emphasized that South Korea's new government should demonstrate an independent diplomatic approach while closely monitoring future South Korea-US-Japan relations. It also assessed that President Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony will become a major diplomatic stage among key countries.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Huanqiu Shibao reported on the 10th that since the newly appointed President Yoon emphasizes a pro-US policy, China-South Korea relations may enter a period of adjustment. The media also anticipated improvements in South Korea-Japan relations, noting that unlike the Moon Jae-in administration, the Japanese government is showing a proactive attitude toward bilateral ties.

Huanqiu Shibao cited Chinese experts who warned that if South Korea, the US, and Japan strengthen cooperation in security and defense sectors, a dangerous situation of "NATO-ization of Asia" could arise, placing South Korea's new government on a diplomatic testing ground.

The outlet argued that the Northeast Asian situation is becoming tense due to US-China conflicts and the Russia-Ukraine war, and South Korea should play a role in coordinating relations among the involved countries.

In particular, the media analyzed that China must closely watch Japan's movements. On the day of President Yoon's inauguration, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa attended as a special envoy of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. After the ceremony, Foreign Minister Hayashi is expected to have a separate meeting with President Yoon to convey the Japanese government's position, hoping for South Korea-Japan cooperation with North Korea issues in mind.

Lu Chao, Director of the US and East Asia Research Institute at Liaoning University, said, "Behind signs of South Korea-Japan relations recovery is the United States," adding, "The US intends to strengthen South Korea-US-Japan military cooperation." However, he diagnosed that Japan's moves are only a diplomatic softening, and fundamental conflicts between the two countries over territory (Dokdo), history, and advanced technology competition are unlikely to be resolved easily.

Yang Danzhi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated, "South Korea's new president has expressed a desire to strengthen the alliance with the US to more effectively respond to North Korea's threats, but this does not benefit South Korea's national interests," and argued, "South Korea should pursue a balanced diplomatic policy between China and the US." This is interpreted as a kind of warning that if South Korea's diplomatic balance tips toward the US side, it may have to pay a corresponding price.

Vice President Wang Qishan's attendance at President Yoon's inauguration is read in the same context. Since it is customary for a vice premier-level official to attend inauguration ceremonies, Wang's visit to South Korea is interpreted as a diplomatic goodwill gesture by the Chinese leadership considering the international situation of US-China conflicts. Vice President Wang also paid a courtesy call on outgoing President Moon Jae-in the day before and had a conversation about the development of China-South Korea relations over the past five years.

In a separate editorial, Huanqiu Shibao expressed concern that NATO, dominated by the US, is extending its reach to the Korean Peninsula, and that the US's China pressure card could be the biggest variable in China-South Korea relations. It also emphasized that the US is forcing South Korea's new government to choose to join the anti-China camp.

However, the editorial expressed hope that South Korea's new government will adhere to an independent path and seek constructive solutions that pursue the interests of its own people, believing that South Korea will play a constructive role befitting its international status. This is indirectly interpreted as China acknowledging its position of having to be mindful of South Korea.

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