In response to domestic media’s criticism that calls between the foreign ministers of Korea and China are being delayed, Chinese state-run media diagnosed that “this is sending a signal that diplomatic communication between Korea and China is difficult.”
Citing Korean media, China’s state-run Global Times reported on the 29th that there have been no phone calls with the foreign ministers of Korea and China since Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol took office on the 10th. Currently, Korea and China are coordinating to make phone calls possible at a mutually convenient time.
In the case of his predecessor, Foreign Minister Park Jin, he had a phone call with Foreign Minister Wang Yi just four days after taking office.
In relation to this, a diplomatic source said, “After Minister Cho Tae-yeol took office, congratulatory messages were exchanged. Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a congratulatory message saying, ‘Let’s do well in the future,’ and our side expressed ‘thank you for the congratulations.’”
The Global Times also cited an expert who requested anonymity and said, “China’s Foreign Minister sent a congratulatory message to Minister Cho Tae-yeol’s inauguration,” and “through diplomatic channels, he sufficiently expressed his interest in attaching importance to Korea.”
Although congratulatory messages were exchanged between Korea and China, it is pointed out that subtle currents between Korea and China are still being felt. Last year, there were △ quarantine conflicts due to the resurgence of a new viral infection (COVID-19) in China, △ Chinese backlash against President Yoon Seok-yeol’s remarks regarding Taiwan, △ controversy over Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming’s interference in internal affairs, etc. As a result, ‘noise’ occurred.
Lu Chao, director of the Institute for American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University, said, “This sends a signal that diplomatic communication between Korea and China is difficult, as South Korea’s provocative comments on Taiwan and the South China Sea issue remain unchanged in Korea’s relations with China.”
Research Director Lu Chao said, “Korea-China relations are a very important external relationship for Korea, and China is Korea’s largest trading partner.” He added, “After the inauguration of the new foreign minister, there are voices in the Korean political world that we must make sure that relations with China do not become strained.”
(Beijing = News 1)
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.