Government Promotes 'Mutual Development of Korea-China Relations' Through Various Communication Channels

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The government is promoting various communication channels between South Korea and China to foster mutually beneficial development in bilateral relations.

They plan to discuss current issues between the two countries, including economic and cultural matters, through high-level meetings such as the Korea-China summit and ministerial talks.

This diplomatic strategy was concretized during a briefing on the strategies for advancing relations with major countries, which Foreign Minister Park Jin presented to President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 21st.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defined the diplomatic tasks with the four major neighboring powers as "conducting East Asian diplomacy based on the values of liberal democracy and common interests," and declared its intention to lead international solidarity based on universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Minister Park reaffirmed the policy to promote relationship development with China based on universal values and norms. He reported plans to pursue mutually beneficial development through high-level communication and expanded practical cooperation.

In particular, to mark the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations (August 24), Minister Park will visit China next month for the first time since his appointment, and plans to regularize communication between foreign ministers.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Even in the difficult situation of face-to-face consultations due to COVID-19, the very fact that a direct visit at the foreign minister level is being pursued reflects the will to maintain high-level diplomatic engagement between Korea and China."

Additionally, it was reported that strategic dialogues between Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, and Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party in charge of foreign affairs, as well as strategic dialogues between deputy foreign ministers and 2+2 deputy minister-level talks between foreign and defense authorities, will be activated.

The activation of Korea-China deputy minister-level channels is expected to be coordinated after Minister Park's visit to China.

Notably, the report included a mention of President Yoon's stance on supply chain issues. Regarding China's repeated objections to supply chain matters, President Yoon instructed, "We should proactively conduct diplomacy to explain these issues in advance so that China does not misunderstand, and actively resolve any problems that arise." This is interpreted as emphasizing the need for 'pragmatic diplomacy' toward China while maintaining the cohesion of the Korea-US alliance.

Accordingly, there is speculation that the South Korean government's diplomacy toward China in August will accelerate.

Minister Park is scheduled to visit China next month to hold face-to-face talks with Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China. This follows the agreement reached during the Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting held on the 7th in Bali, Indonesia, to promote Minister Park's visit to China in the near future and Wang Yi's visit to Korea in the second half of the year.

The Korean and Chinese diplomatic authorities are currently negotiating the specific timing and location of Minister Park's visit to China. However, some speculate that since August 24 marks the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, the visit may be scheduled around this date to maximize the symbolic significance of the anniversary.

If Minister Park visits China to coincide with the Korea-China diplomatic anniversary, it is highly likely that he will explain South Korea's position on the 'Chip 4 alliance' to China. This is because the United States has set a deadline at the end of August and is demanding a clear stance from South Korea regarding joining the alliance.

However, the Chinese government has not hidden its discomfort with the promotion of the Chip 4 alliance.

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a briefing on the 19th, "We hope that the relevant parties will do much to safeguard the stability of the international semiconductor supply chain based on their long-term interests and fair market principles."

Furthermore, Global Times, which represents the position of the Chinese Communist Party, openly pressured the South Korean government on the 20th by stating, "South Korea should have the courage to say NO to the US's acts of intimidation."

In diplomatic circles, there is also speculation that China may send pressure messages during the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meeting (ARF) held in Cambodia from the 30th of this month to the 6th of next month.

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