Seoul: South Korea should not unnecessarily fear China's rise as a global power, nor should it underestimate China's capabilities and potential, said South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. He emphasized the necessity of further strengthening ties with China and developing cooperative areas that ensure mutual benefits. Cho's remarks came ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled next week in China. Instead of harboring unfounded concerns about China's growth, it is important to realistically evaluate the country's abilities and opportunities, he wrote on the social media platform X. Cho also advocated leveraging the free operational capacity and innovative ideas of South Korean citizens and businesses to cultivate economic and technological cooperation beneficial to both nations.
Cho's statement followed his meeting and dinner on Friday in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This was the first official meeting between the two leaders in nearly three months. Key topics discussed included the current state of bilateral relations, security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, regional stability, and economic cooperation. The ministers evaluated prospects for improving ties in ways that would deliver direct benefits to the people of both countries.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will attend the APEC leadership summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18 and 19. South Korean officials confirmed that Lee will also participate in an official dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife. The summit, which will include many of the world's leading leaders, is expected to focus on global economic conditions, trade relations, regional security, and international cooperation. The White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump will hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit. Discussions are likely to include matters related to nuclear arms reduction.
Seoul expects President Lee's visit to foster a new breakthrough in the relationship between the two countries. Cho stated that efforts are underway to expand cooperation in areas where the two sides can strengthen each other and to secure a partnership based on equality and mutual benefit.
Relations between South Korea and China faced significant estrangement during former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration. Policies prioritizing the security alliance with the United States caused unease in ties with Beijing. However, the new administration led by President Lee Jae-myung is prioritizing maintaining strategic security relations with the United States while also advancing economic and diplomatic relations with China, South Korea's largest trading partner.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi indicated China's interest in expanding cooperation with South Korea beyond traditional industrial sectors to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and advanced technologies. Wang noted that recent exchanges and meetings between senior leaders of the two countries have contributed to improving bilateral relations and that China-South Korea ties are once again moving in the right direction.
Given the evolving regional political landscape and global economic challenges, the forthcoming APEC summit is expected to be decisive in South Korea's efforts to make its relationship with China more practical and balanced.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
