‘The right atmosphere needs to be built’

It is time to thaw Korea-China relations at a practical level.

PARK SEONG-HUN The author is a Beijing correspondent of the JoongAng Ilbo. The car carefully stopped on the icy road. Tiananmen was visible amid flurries. Across the square, the National Museum of China welcomed reporters. I had to go through a security check remniscent of those at airports, to which I am accustomed by now.

On December 14, the State Council held a New Year’s meeting, inviting domestic and foreign journalists, ministry spokespeople, representatives of international organizations and think tank experts. It was the first such meeting in four years since the outbreak of Covid-19.

About 500 people attended, but I did not see many Western reporters. A reporter from CNN attended, and a BBC correspondent who frequently wrote stories that might make the government uncomfortable was absent. But there were many Japanese reporters.

As it was a standing party, journalists actively interacted with drinks in hands. First, I went to talk to the spokesman for the National Development and Reform Commission to discuss the urea water crisis. The commission is equivalent to Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, overseeing China’s economy in general. When I introduced myself as a reporter for the JoongAng Ilbo, he greeted me favorably.

When asked about the recent relationship between Korea and China, he said, “China and Korea are inseparable neighbors.” He added, “the two countries are economically close.” He explained that economic cooperation between the two countries is important now.

Regarding whether China’s restriction of ureas was the authorities’ policy, he said, “It is only responding to domestic demand, not with a specific country in mind.” But if the domestic situation is a variable, it may not be easy to lift the restriction in consideration of Korea. It is necessary to prepare alternative import lines at this point.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave me a gentle impression, one unlike the resolute attitude he displays front of the microphone. Regarding prospects for a Korea-China-Japan summit, he said, “All the answers can be found from the statement by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.” But he added, “I hope for good news when conditions are created.”

A Chinese foreign ministry official I met last month mentioned the failure to coordinate a Korea-China summit at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco, California. “The right atmosphere should have been built in advance,” he said.

Korea-China relations are not what they were before. From the conflict over the Thaad, the Hong Kong crisis and the pandemic to disputes over Olympic decisions and historical and cultural controversies, there are problems that aggravate each people’s emotions.

But it is true that China is a neighboring country, and Korea and China are economically interdependent. Meeting Chinese officials reminded me once again that diplomacy is done by people and communication is the solution to conflict. It is time to thaw Korea-China relations at a practical level.