How to Make the Most of Strategic Partnership

By Ha Do-hyung

The most significant aspect of President Lee Myung-bak's state visit to China was the establishment of a ``strategic cooperative partnership,'' a clear upgrade from the previous ``comprehensive cooperative partnership'' between the two countries. Strategic partnership means a pursuit of cooperation in areas of global issues including bilateral relations.

But the real work starts now; for this new strategic relationship to rise above simple rhetoric, the Lee administration should consider the following four issues.

First, the Korean government must ensure that China does not feel threatened by Korea's improving ties with the United States.

Korea needs to reassure them that the South Korea-U.S. relationship will not in any way have negative consequences for the South Korea-China relationship. These two diplomatic relationships are separate and Korea is not engaged in zero-sum diplomacy.

President Lee should make sure to communicate with Chinese leaders that his ``pragmatic diplomacy,'' ``Global Korea'' initiative and ``New Asian Cooperation Diplomacy'' are all aimed at mutually beneficial progress, for all Asian countries involved.

Korea should clarify to Chinese leaders that the Lee administration's diplomatic approach is in fact fundamentally similar to China's own diplomacy of pursuing ``a harmonious world.''

Second, the Lee administration needs to develop a practical framework for fostering its new ``strategic relationship'' with China.

Now, this means the two countries need to create formal diplomatic forums and channels for regular undersecretary-level strategic meetings.

Such bilateral forums would serve as a means for the two nations to cooperate in various foreign affairs and also help resolve future disputes between Korea and China in a timely manner.

These forums could assist bilateral cooperation in various fields including diplomacy, security, business and economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and energy diplomacy.

Third, I am hoping Korea and China will boost their cooperation in military exchange and cooperation. The bilateral cooperation in national defense, unlike other areas, still remains at a low level.

To upgrade Sino-Korean relationship to ``strategic relationship,'' there is a real need to discuss further cooperation in military exchanges and cooperation as well.

The two countries, admittedly, had a limited cooperation in this field in the past because of historical and ideological issues. There are still several restricting factors, to be sure.

But disaster rescue practice, terrorism-response teams to and maintenance of peacekeeping operations are some of the areas where the two sides could fully consider cooperation.

Fourth, China and Korea (as well as Japan for that matter) should address issues of excessive nationalism. Such nationalism could potentially foster hostility toward each other and have a negative impact on the Sino-Korean bilateral relationship. It would serve both countries well to put a concerted effort into easing excessive nationalism.

President Lee's visit to China will offer a valuable clue as to whether he can in fact realize his goal of surmounting ``the era of ideology'' and moving into ``the era of pragmatism.''

The South Korea-China relationship continues to scale new heights since the two countries established formal diplomatic ties 15 years ago.

Our ``strategic relationship,'' could indeed work as a catalyst to create a stable East Asian region, resolution of North Korean nuclear issues in a peaceful manner and the building of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

The writer is a professor at the National Defense University in Seoul.