Wang Yi urges Seoul to avoid choosing sides
Xinhua · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used talks in Seoul on Aug. 19 to push for healthier, more stable China-South Korea relations while urging Seoul to pursue an independent foreign policy and manage ties with China and the United States in parallel. In separate remarks reported from meetings with South Korean officials, Wang also argued that tensions on the Korean Peninsula can only be reduced by addressing root causes and by the United States abandoning its hostile policy toward North Korea.
Key Points
- Wang met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul on Aug. 19 and called for healthy, stable and sustainable bilateral ties.
- Wang said South Korea should pursue an independent foreign policy and develop relations with other countries in parallel, without conflict or contradiction.
- In talks with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, Wang said the United States should abandon its hostile policy toward North Korea.
- Wang said China would welcome peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea, and called for dialogue to restart and trust to be restored.
- He also promoted deeper economic cooperation, including AI, green transition, digital economy, high-end equipment, the silver economy, and faster second-phase FTA talks.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the message underlines how Beijing is trying to keep Seoul from moving more firmly into a U.S.-led strategic camp while preserving trade and technology links with a major Asian economy. It also shows that Korean Peninsula security remains tied to wider China-U.S. rivalry, which can affect regional markets and business sentiment.