Chinese Ambassador to South Korea: China firmly opposes China and South Korea | China | Ambassador

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea on the David Camp Summit: Resolutely oppose any content that targets, alludes to, or even interferes in China's internal affairs

On August 18th, the Korean Daily and Korean Times published a joint interview with Ambassador Xing Haiming. Ambassador Xing Haiming reviewed the development achievements since the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, looked forward to the future development direction of bilateral relations, and answered questions from reporters on China South Korea economic and trade cooperation, China's economic situation, South Korea US Japan leadership talks, and Chinese citizen team tours to South Korea. The full interview is as follows:

1. The 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China is approaching. How do you evaluate the development process of South Korea China relations? What are your views on the development direction of South Korea China relations?

China and South Korea are inseparable neighbors and partners, with a long history of friendly exchanges lasting for thousands of years. 31 years ago, both sides broke free from the shackles of the Cold War and officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past 31 years, China and South Korea have maintained good neighborly friendship, mutual support, mutual achievements, and common prosperity. With the joint efforts of both sides, the relationship between the two countries has achieved leapfrog development, and a strategic partnership has been established politically; The bilateral trade volume continues to grow, reaching a new high last year, reaching 362.3 billion US dollars, more than 70 times the initial level of diplomatic relations; Before the epidemic, the annual personnel exchanges between the two countries exceeded ten million, with over 1200 flights per week traveling between the two countries. Not long ago, the Chinese side resumed a team tour to South Korea, and we believe that personnel exchanges between the two countries will be further and rapidly restored, and the friendly relationship between the two peoples will also be further strengthened. The fact has proven that the rapid development of bilateral relations has brought tangible benefits to both countries and their peoples, and has also injected a continuous stream of positive energy into regional and even world peace and prosperity.

As friendly neighbors, stabilizing and developing China South Korea relations has always been the correct direction for both countries to work together. China is willing to work with South Korea to uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, based on the solid foundation of the development of bilateral relations, starting from the fundamental long-term interests of both countries and the common expectations of the two peoples, to eliminate interference, overcome challenges, and work together to continuously promote new and greater achievements in bilateral relations.

2. Recently, South Korea China relations are facing a difficult situation. What do you think is the biggest obstacle to improving the relationship between the two countries? How should we solve it again? What role are you playing in improving bilateral relations?

Looking back at the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Korea, the most important experience is to respect and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, which is the key to determining whether China South Korea relations can develop well. I believe that there is no fundamental or structural contradiction in the bilateral relationship between China and South Korea. Some of the difficulties currently faced by the two countries are only temporary. As long as both sides adhere to the principle of fully respecting each other's core interests and major concerns, and strive to eliminate interference, they will definitely be able to overcome the difficulties and promote the sustained and healthy development of the bilateral relationship.

The Chinese government has always attached great importance to South Korea and China South Korea relations, wholeheartedly promoting the development of China South Korea relations, and this position has never changed. In the future, myself and all colleagues at the embassy will continue to maintain communication and exchange with people from all walks of life in South Korea, helping everyone to have a deeper understanding of China and China South Korea relations, promoting the deepening of friendly feelings between the two peoples, continuously deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and helping bilateral relations to move forward.

3. Although China is South Korea's largest trading partner, there have been recent changes in South Korea's trade structure. Last year, South Korea's current account balance with China experienced another deficit after 21 years, and its current account balance with the United States reached a historic high. Some predict that South Korea's largest trading partner will shift from China to the United States. What do you think are the methods to stabilize and develop South Korea China economic and trade relations?

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 31 years ago, China and South Korea have grown and prospered together in the economic field. Both sides have formed a highly integrated industrial cycle and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations, which have brought huge and tangible benefits to the economic development of both countries. In recent times, influenced by the global economic environment and various factors, China South Korea economic and trade cooperation has faced some new situations and challenges. However, the essence of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between the two sides has not changed, the potential is still enormous, and the prospects are still bright. At present, the cooperation between the two sides is entering a new stage of quality improvement and upgrading, with high-tech manufacturing, big data, and green economy becoming new growth poles for the cooperation.

In recent times, some people have been constantly fabricating the "peak theory" and "risk theory" of the Chinese economy, slandering the prospects of China's economic development, and clamoring for the so-called "de risk" towards China. Its core content is to create confrontation and division, and its essence is to eliminate opportunities, development, and cooperation, ultimately harming the interests of all countries. The momentum of China's economic recovery was strong in the first half of this year, with a year-on-year growth of 5.5% in gross domestic product. It is expected to reach 6% for the whole year, which is significantly better than other major economies in the world. China remains an important engine for global economic recovery and growth. China has a middle-income group of 400 million, and this scale will reach 800 million by 2035, which will bring huge market potential to global economic development. In the future, China will continue to unswervingly expand high-level opening up, create a better business and market environment, safeguard the legitimate rights of foreign enterprises, including South Korean enterprises, and constantly provide new development opportunities for South Korea and other countries in the world with Chinese path to modernization. I firmly believe that as long as South Korean friends have a firm confidence in cooperation with China and adjust their business strategies in China according to China's economic structure and market changes, they will definitely be able to leverage the advantage of "getting the moon with the water first", catch the fast train of China's economic recovery, and reap a brighter future.

The South Korean, US, and Japanese leaders' talks will be held in the United States this week. In order to effectively respond to the North Korean nuclear threat, South Korea, the United States, and Japan are strengthening cooperation. What is China's opinion on this?

The current situation of renewed tension on the peninsula is clear in terms of its latitude and crux. The ups and downs of the Peninsula issue clearly demonstrate that dialogue and negotiation are the only correct and effective way to ease the tension on the Peninsula and promote a political solution. Under the current situation, we hope that all parties will remain calm and restrained, adhere to the direction of political resolution, and strive to promote dialogue and easing, rather than strengthening military posture. Strengthening the military posture will not only fail to resolve the remnants of the Cold War and promote the peace mechanism on the peninsula, but also exacerbate the risk of regional confrontation, undermine fragile mutual trust among all parties, and harm the strategic security interests of all countries. I hope that the interaction between relevant parties can be beneficial to regional peace and stability. At the same time, we firmly oppose any content that targets, implies, or even interferes in China's internal affairs.

China has opened up group tours to South Korea after a six-year hiatus, simplifying the procedures for Koreans to apply for visas to China. What is the background of China's adoption of these measures and what are the expected effects of these measures?

Since February 2023, China has piloted the resumption of Chinese citizen outbound team tourism in batches, and the overall implementation is good. Currently, international passenger flights continue to resume, and the willingness of Chinese people to travel abroad is increasing. In order to create convenient conditions for people to travel abroad for sightseeing, starting from August 10th, China will further resume the scope of outbound group tours for Chinese citizens, including South Korea. At the same time, from August 10th to December 31st of this year, China will exempt applicants for business, tourism, family visit, transit, and crew visas that meet the conditions for one or two entries to South Korea and other relevant countries from fingerprints. The friendship between nations lies in mutual affinity between the people. China attaches great importance to cultural exchanges between China and South Korea, and is willing to work together with South Korea to promote the continuous development of cultural exchanges between the two countries and deepen the friendly relationship between the two peoples.

I heard that after China announced the relevant measures, the search volume for Korean hotels on Chinese tourism platforms has skyrocketed 15 times. Many Chinese people plan to come to South Korea for the National Day Golden Week. I understand that various cities in South Korea have made extensive preparations to welcome Chinese tourists. Many shops in Mingdong are preparing to expand their recruitment of Chinese staff and add Chinese logos. I believe these measures will play a positive role in accelerating the post epidemic economic recovery and development of both countries, and improving public opinion.

Recently, there has been a proposal in the South Korean political community to adhere to the principle of reciprocity and restrict the voting rights of foreign residents in local elections. Currently, among foreigners with voting rights in South Korea, Chinese nationals have the highest number. May I ask what position does the ambassador hold on this proposition?

I am unable to comment on how to establish that voting rights belong to South Korea's internal affairs. But in South Korea, Chinese people should enjoy the same rights as other foreigners. I would like to emphasize that China and South Korea are close neighbors and inseparable partners that cannot be moved away. Developing stable and good China South Korea relations is in line with the interests of both countries and their peoples. China is willing to work with South Korea to make positive efforts to promote the long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.