The so-called strategic partnership between Korea and China has been called into question following the death of Kim Jong-il. President Hu Jintao is yet to accept President Lee Myung-bak's request for telephone communication although Lee talked with leaders of the United States, Russia and Japan.
Hu's reluctance to talk with President Lee is puzzling at this critical time although the Chinese leader purportedly does not favor hot-line talks with heads of state. Understandably, Beijing may not want to antagonize or unnerve Pyongyang in its delicate power transition.
The two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic, cooperative partnership status in 2008. Does a strategic partnership mean no communication between leaders even when there are issues of critical importance? Is such a partnership just diplomatic rhetoric?
The episode illustrates the stark fact that Seoul and Beijing are not on a normal diplomatic track. Hu’s refusal has also hurt the pride of Koreans. In times of emergency, a lack of communication between the leaders is a serious security concern.
China is South Korea’s largest trading partner and is the chair of the six-party denuclearization talks. It is the strongest ally and supporter of North Korea.
It is unfit for the world's second largest economy to side only with North Korea against global norms. When the North sank the South Korean Navy ship Cheonan last year, Beijing stood behind Pyongyang. China issued a hesitant regret over the killing of a South Korean maritime policeman by a Chinese sailor last week. This is another example of Beijing's high-handed attitude.
While spurning the request for talks with Lee, Hu and the other top eight Chinese leaders visited the North Korean Embassy in Beijing to express condolences on the death of Kim Jong-il.
The Seoul government is partly responsible for Beijing's perceived coldness and arrogance.
During his visit to Washington in October, Lee appeared to alienate China by speaking of its threat and support of active U.S. involvement in Asia. Lee's pro-U.S. statements might have left China feeling a sense of alienation. In the forthcoming summit, Lee and Hu need to mend fences. Their two-way trade of $180 billion is more than Korea’s combined trade with the United States and Japan. The economic data alone cannot explain the bilateral relations.
China's role in post-Kim Jong-il North Korea may increase. Seoul badly needs to strengthen diplomacy with the countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Without the understanding of such countries as the United States and China, the two Koreas have limits in preparing for unification.
China must bear in mind that its blind support of North Korea alone would not promote peace and stability on the divided peninsula. Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said that diplomacy is the art of restraining power. Beijing sent a negative message to the world by abusing diplomacy as a tool to tame its neighbors, including South Korea.