‘Visit to Korea’ brought up first in bilateral talks
Possible completion as early as the first half of next year
Chinese President Xi Jinping (pictured) met with Prime Minister Han Deok-soo on the 23rd and first announced, “We will seriously consider the issue of visiting Korea.” This was revealed during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Han, who visited China to attend the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Accordingly, some predict that President Xi’s visit to Korea could take place as early as the first half of next year. A senior government official also said in a phone call with the Dong-A Ilbo on the 24th, “Since President Xi directly brought up the topic (visit to Korea), related discussions between the two countries will likely accelerate.” However, a senior official in the Presidential Office said, “The first principle of our diplomacy is ‘mutual respect,’” and added, “We will not take the appearance of pestering China.”
Regarding President Xi’s first mention of the issue of visiting Korea at a local briefing on the 23rd, a senior government official emphasized, “He knows that it is his turn to visit Korea first.” Previously, former President Moon Jae-in visited China twice during his term, but President Xi did not visit Korea. President Xi’s last visit to Korea was in July 2014 during the Park Geun-hye administration. Regarding the trilateral summit between Korea, China and Japan, which Korea is aiming to hold within the year, President Xi said, “We welcome its holding at an appropriate time.” China has usually had its prime minister attend the Korea-China-Japan summit. As President Xi has expressed a positive stance on holding the trilateral summit, there are also predictions that the trilateral summit may lead to President Xi’s visit to Korea.
The city also responded positively to the Korea-China-Japan summit.
Full-scale discussion on visit to Korea when trilateral meeting is successful
As President Xi first mentioned the issue of his visit to Korea during his meeting with Prime Minister Han on the 23rd, the government plans to pursue related discussions with the Chinese authorities through diplomatic channels in the future. The government believes that the fact that President Xi, who previously counter-proposed a visit to China to President Yoon at the Korea-China summit in November of last year, made this comment regarding the visit to Korea this time is a meaningful signal in itself.
A senior government official said at a local briefing that day, “(This meeting) is an opportunity to clearly demonstrate that Korea-China relations are being managed well.” He also said, “When we hold a summit between Korea, Japan and China, we hold not only trilateral talks but also separate bilateral talks,” adding, “It is meaningful in creating a link that will lead to President Xi’s visit to Korea thereafter.” This means that discussions on President Xi’s visit to Korea could begin in earnest with the Korea-China-Japan summit, which is being discussed and scheduled to be held within the year.
The government believes that the current situation in which China is making conciliatory gestures toward Korea to prevent the strengthening of Korea-U.S.-Japan ties is not bad from our perspective. Therefore, our position is that there is no need to urge President Xi to visit Korea. A senior government official said, “We will not be tied down by President Xi’s visit to Korea first,” and added, “This is in line with our government’s principle of public diplomacy, which is mutual respect.” It was reported that the meeting between President Yoon and Prime Minister Li Chang held in Indonesia on the 7th was also held at China’s request.
On the 23rd, President Xi had a welcome luncheon with leaders from various countries who were visiting China to attend the opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games. As he entered the luncheon hall, he asked Prime Minister Han how long it took to get to Hangzhou. When Prime Minister Han responded, “About 1 hour and 30 minutes,” he reportedly responded, “The two countries are close.” It is reported that in this bilateral meeting between Korea and China, there was no explanation of China’s position on the North Korea-Russia summit or military cooperation.
According to an announcement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that day, President Xi emphasized to Prime Minister Han, “I hope that Korea’s values and efforts to develop Korea-China relations will be reflected in its policies and actions.” It is interpreted as a message containing pressure to not sympathize with the United States and to actively show moves that take into account the closely linked economic conditions of Korea and China.
Beijing =
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.