China summons Ambassador Sing Haiming, calls in South Korean ambassador to China for protest

On the 11th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Nong Long, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with Ambassador Jeong Jae-ho to the PRC after agreeing to a 'weijian' (meeting by appointment) and raised negotiations regarding the South Korean side's unjust reaction to the exchanges between Ambassador Xing Haiming and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, expressing serious concerns and dissatisfaction." On the 9th, First Vice Foreign Minister Jang Ho-jin summoned Ambassador Xing, who made strong remarks targeting the government such as "Those betting on China's defeat will surely regret it later," and lodged a strong protest. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded in kind using the same method.

'Weijian' is a diplomatic term used by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to refer to summoning foreign diplomats stationed in China to the ministry or meeting them at a separate location to deliver protests or complaints. Compared to the more forceful 'zhaojian' (召見, summoning for a meeting), it is a lower level of severity, but in South Korean diplomatic terminology, it corresponds to 'chochi' (招致, summoning).

Deputy Director-General Nong explained China's position on China-South Korea relations to Ambassador Jeong, stating, "It is Ambassador Xing Haiming's duty to contact and engage with various figures in South Korea," and added, "The purpose is to enhance understanding, promote cooperation, and safeguard and advance the development of China-South Korea relations." He further said, "We hope the South Korean side reflects on where the current problems in China-South Korea relations lie and approaches them seriously," and "We hope they sincerely abide by the spirit of the joint communiqu? on the establishment of diplomatic relations and actively work with China for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations."

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not disclose Ambassador Jeong Jae-ho's remarks.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung is meeting with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, at the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the evening of the 8th.
[Image source=National Assembly Press Photographers]

Earlier, on the 8th, Ambassador Xing invited Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to the Chinese Embassy residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, stating, "In the situation where the United States is exerting full pressure on China, some are betting that the U.S. will win and China will lose," and added, "This is clearly a mistaken judgment and a failure to properly understand the flow of history."

Ambassador Xing also said, "The Chinese government has always valued its relationship with South Korea highly, but it is painful to see the current relationship facing many difficulties," and "Honestly, the responsibility does not lie with China. It would be greatly appreciated if South Korea could respect China's core interests."

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