US leadership under Biden must revisit basic strategy on China: Beijing envoy to Seoul

[Photo by Lee Seung-hwan]

New U.S. leadership under President Joe Biden should revisit strategic basis on China to develop bilateral relationship in a “stable and sound” manner for the benefit of world welfare, said Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming in an interview with the Maeil Business Newspaper timed with his first year at the Seoul mission.

Despite the unprecedented situation of the coronavirus pandemic, Xing hosted high-profit visits from Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and arranged fast-track procedure for businessmen between Korea and China.

The following is the text of the written interview.

— How do you expect U.S.-China relations to change in Biden's era?

⒐ Under the influence of Cold War thinking and ideological prejudice, the current Sino-U.S. relations stand on the edge of conflict and confrontation. This is the most severe period since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. There is a saying that the more difficult times, the more you have to see hope. Bilateral relationship is in a critical point. It must uphold past achievements and develop the road ahead.

— During the Donald Trump administration, the U.S.-China relations were greatly deteriorated due to trade and technology wars.

⒐ China-U.S. relations are again at an important historical juncture. The two countries are in a relationship that cannot be separated from each other. There are no exits in the 'New Cold War' and 'Decoupling'. Dialogue and cooperation is the right path. Cooperation between China and the U.S. can contribute to both countries and the world, but confrontation will lead to disaster. I hope that the U.S. will re-establish a strategic framework for developing stable and sound relations between China and the U.S., taking into account the interests of the world based on its own interests.

— As the U.S.-China conflict intensifies, Korea is also in a difficult position. What is your position as the Chinese ambassador to Korea on this matter?

⒐ South Korea and the United States are allies, and China and South Korea are important and close neighbors based on a strategic cooperative partnership. Both Korea-U.S. and China-Korea relations are important to South Korea. I don't think the two are contradicting. I believe that Korea has wisdom and will be able to properly manage these two relations in a long-term perspective based on the fundamental interests of its own country and its people.

— The Biden administration pursuing multilateralism is expected to ask China to participate in the North Korean denuclearization process.

⒐ In order to solve the problem on the Korean Peninsula, the countries concerned must work together. The realization of objectives related to this must be accompanied by improved relations among the countries concerned, especially inter-Korean relations. This is because the South and North Korea are involved in the Korean Peninsula problem and blood is thicker than water. China supports all efforts to solve the problem through dialogue and negotiation. In addition, we welcome the relevant countries to return to the negotiating table with sincerity and promote the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula in parallel. I hope that China can also work together with the countries concerned and play a constructive role for this.

— What is China's position on the peace process on the Korean Peninsula?

⒐ As a neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China has been working with a responsible attitude for peace and regional stability on the Korean Peninsula for many years. In the future, China will continue to play a constructive role in resolving the Korean Peninsula problem. China will stick to its original position that the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula should be continued step by step and simultaneously.

— Uncertainty is growing as China has imposed a ban on entry for charter flights from Korea.

⒐ So far, more than 10,000 Korean businessmen have already visited China through the fast-track procedure to do business activities as usual. Currently, the number of round-trip flights between the two countries has been increased to about 30 flights a week, and direct flights from Beijing to Seoul have resumed, ensuring essential human traffic. Korea has been operating the most regular flights to China since the outbreak of the pandemic.

— What were your greatest achievement in the past year as an ambassador?

⒐ The biggest achievement is the in-depth promotion of quarantine cooperation between China and Korea. The two countries took care of each other and overcome difficulties together as they confronted Covid-19. First, the two countries established a joint quarantine cooperation system, and introduced the world’s first fast-track procedure which alleviates hurdles faced by Koreans visiting China for business purpose, setting an example to the world.

— What is the task you want to put more emphasis on in the future?

⒐ China and Korea are close neighbors and important partners for cooperation, and both governments maintain close communication. However, there are also sensitive issues that remain unsolved in the bilateral relations. It is also true that there are some temperature differences in emotions between the people of the two countries due to various factors. However, I hope that during my tenure, I can play a role in deepening trust between the two governments and promote communication between people of the two countries.

[Photo by Lee Seung-hwan]

— In what direction should Korea-China economic cooperation go?

⒐ The basis of economic cooperation between the two countries is very solid and mutually complementary. Each county should demonstrate its comparative advantage to strengthen policy linkage between China's “One Belt, One Road” initiative and Korea’s “New Southern” and “New Northern” strategies. In addition, both countries need to pay attention to the development of free trade zones.

— What is your advice for Korean companies investing in China?

⒐ China is focusing investment on 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial Internet, and big data among others. This is in line with the Korean government's digital and green new deal initiatives. Korean companies need to invest in China in a more balanced way. The coastal region of eastern China is fully equipped with a comprehensive infrastructure and its high-tech industry has a bright outlook. China's midwest region has a large area and a large population, and its outlook is also bright as local infrastructure continues to be developed in recent years. As there are many preferential policies from local governments, Korean companies need to consider their investment in this region.

— What is your outlook for the Korea-China-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

⒐ FTA is a global trend. Even in a situation where unilateralism and protectionism continued to expand, the countries concerned carried out challenging negotiations and eventually signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), proclaiming the victory of multilateralism and free trade. In this context, the tripartite free trade agreement among China, Korea, and Japan is also a mainstream move and follows the current world trend. The signing of the RCEP also provides a good condition for accelerating the negotiations of the tripartite FTA.

— What is the message China wants to deliver to the world at Davos Forum?

⒐ Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Davos Agenda of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and deliver a special speech on Jan. 25. With China’s presence, we expect that we will be able to help solve some pressing global issues facing the international community. China showed robust economic fundamentals and strong resilience with positive growth last year. China's development cannot be achieved apart from the world, and this can also contribute more to the world. China will add strength and wisdom to recover the global economy and improve global governance while responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

— What is your outlook for China’s economy this year?

⒐ All major economic organizations recently predicted that China’s annual economic growth rate will exceed 8 percent in 2021. I believe China will bring warmth and recovery to the world economy and instill strong confidence in the stagnant global market, providing more development opportunities to Korea and other countries around the world over the next year.

[ㄏ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]