In a friendly atmosphere, we exchanged words with bones
Correspondent Han Jong-goo, Correspondent of Korea Correspondents = On the afternoon of the 24th, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and China was held at No. 17 in Diaoyutai, Beijing, where the representatives of Korea and China signed the establishment of diplomatic relations 30 years ago.
On August 24, 1992, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Lee Sang-ok and Chinese Foreign Minister Chen Qi-cheon signed the “Joint Statement on the Establishment of Korea-China Diplomatic Relations”, transforming Korea and China from a gun-pointed enemy to a cooperative partner during the Korean War.
The 20th anniversary celebration was held at the Capital Museum in downtown Beijing.
This location seems to contain the will of the Chinese side to revive the ‘initiative’ of 30 years ago in a situation where Korea-China relations face a structural challenge amid the US-China strategic competition.
The event started at 6:10 pm when the Korean Ambassador to China Jeong Jae-ho and the Chinese representative, Wang Yi, a member of the State Council for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, entered the venue at 6:10 pm.
Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the number of participants was limited to 100 from each of the two countries.
The highlight of the commemorative event was the order of congratulatory remarks by President Yun Seok-yeol and President Xi Jinping, each read by Ambassador Chung and Director Wang respectively.
The participants responded with great applause to the congratulatory remarks of the heads of state of the two countries, saying that they attach great importance to bilateral relations and continue the achievements of the past 30 years.
The atmosphere at the event was always friendly.
After the event, Ambassador Jeong and Director Wang talked constantly during a dinner that combined Korean and Chinese cuisines, such as grilled eel, chicken bibim-myeon, and steamed beef.
A wide smile was also caught several times.
When the chorus of the elementary school choir affiliated with the Central Music Academy of China and the performance of the Han Ye-Woon Korean Traditional Orchestra of Korea were performed, it was even caught singing along.
However, even though it was a celebration of the development of Korea-China relations that has been achieved through bilateral cooperation for the past 30 years, tensions in Korea-China relations have not gone away.
Ambassador Chung said that the two countries have developed pragmatically, referring to ‘gudongzoni’ (求同存異, seeking common interests while acknowledging differences), which is a representative idiom that describes China’s foreign policy. and the supply chain are deeply fused to become a community of interests in which you are in me and I am in you.”
It is a remark containing the meaning of checking whether Korea will participate in the so-called Chip 4 (US-led semiconductor supply chain consultation).
In his greetings, Director Wang mentioned the “military harmonies” mentioned by Foreign Minister Park Jin at the Qingdao summit earlier this month, and said, “We are I can add to the words of Confucius: “The gentleman is completed by faith)” he said.
This is a statement that can be read as a request to adhere to the THAAD three dollar policy (without adding THAAD and not participating in the US MD/Korea-US-Japan military alliance).
The commemorative ceremony lasted about two hours including dinner.
/yunhap news