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Xi Jinping invites Yoon to visit China

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President Yoon Suk-yeol, second from left, speaks to Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, right, during his visit to the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
President Yoon Suk-yeol, second from left, speaks to Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, right, during his visit to the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

Chinese President Xi Jinping invited President Yoon Suk-yeol to China "at a time of convenience" for both sides, as well as asking Seoul to strengthen its ties with Beijing amid the escalating rivalry between the U.S. and China.

Yoon has been stressing the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance throughout his 10-month-long political career, while criticizing his predecessor Moon Jae-in's "strategic ambivalence" between the two superpowers. The invitation and the proposal for stronger Seoul-Beijing ties put Yoon, who started his presidency on Tuesday, in a difficult position.

During a courtesy visit to the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan told Yoon that Xi "welcomes" Yoon to visit China at a time of convenience for both sides.

"China and South Korea are friendly neighbors and strategic partners," Wang said. "Strengthening Beijing-Seoul ties amid the current difficulties that the world is facing is increasingly important for the two countries and the rest of the world."

Yoon's predecessor visited China in 2017 and 2019, but the Chinese leader did not pay a return visit to Seoul, triggering speculation that Beijing wants to display a stronger diplomatic presence. Xi has not gone on an overseas trip since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While inviting Yoon to China, Wang suggested five proposals for Seoul-China relations to Yoon ― strengthening strategic bilateral communication, deepening practical cooperation on the economy, escalating friendship between the people of both countries, bilateral coordination in multilateral issues and enhanced cooperation with China in dealing with North Korea issues.

Of them, Wang stressed the importance of bilateral coordination in multinational issues.

"The fourth proposal is close multilateral coordination between China and South Korea," Wang said. "China is delighted with South Korea enhancing its role in international and regional matters, and will make efforts to protect multilateralism and free trade through strategic communication with Seoul. Through this we want to accelerate regional and global development and prosperity."

He added that China is seeking to promptly form a free trade agreement between South Korea, China and Japan.

Experts said the cordial remarks contain China's tactic to test the Yoon government's diplomatic strategies.

"The invitation and proposals are interpreted as China's diplomatic tactic to test whether the Yoon government will lean toward the U.S. as the president pledged in his campaigns," said Go Myong-hyun, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

"While inviting the new president to Beijing, China also made proposals which are seen as its efforts to set agendas for a potential summit between Yoon and Xi. Though detailed agendas will be discussed in working-level talks, the Yoon government should view those proposals as preconditions or possible agendas for the summit."

During the meeting, Yoon told Wang that he is delighted that Xi sent him a letter and congratulated him in a phone call after his election victory.

"I am also very happy that Vice President Wang has paid a visit to Seoul and I am well aware that China is cherishing the bilateral relations."



Nam Hyun-woo namhw@koreatimes.co.kr


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