By Kang Seung-woo
HANGZHOU, China ― Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have adopted a differentiated approach toward South Korea and the United States in handling the deployment of the U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea.
President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama are attending the G20 summit in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, but Xi did not treat both leaders in the same manner.
Observers believe this dual strategy by China may be aimed at checking the United States.
The eighth summit between Park and Xi, held Monday amid tensions over Seoul’s plan to base a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea, began with Xi’s friendly gesture to Park, noting that the venue city has a very special relationship with South Korea.
“South Korea’s venerated independence fighter Kim Koo led its independence campaigns in Zhejiang Province in the 1930s against Japan’s colonial rule, and the Chinese people provided protection for Kim,” Xi said.
Park responded, saying that she values the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries.
In addition, Xi and Park agreed to strengthen strategy dialogue based on mutual respect to advance their bilateral ties.
China has expressed objections to the THAAD deployment, saying that it would undermine its security interests.
Although the Chinese president opposed the THAAD deployment during the summit, the tone was much softer compared to his remarks during his bilateral meeting with Obama.
According to media reports, Xi expressed strong opposition to Obama, asking the United States to respect China’s strategic security interests.
When it came to protocol for national leaders, China’s treatment was different, as well.
According to government officials, the Chinese government mostly accommodated South Korea’s requirements during Park’s attendance at the G20.
“China seemed to try to make the mood of the Park-Xi summit favorable,” said a diplomatic source.
However, tensions over protocol between the United States and China arose as soon as Obama arrived in the Chinese city.
The Chinese side did not prepare a rolling staircase for Obama to exit from the front door of the airplane and he had to leave by a different exit for his plane.
In addition, the U.S. president was the only national leader who was not provided with the red carpet upon arrival.
There was also a row on the tarmac between a U.S. presidential press aide and a Chinese official as reporters and U.S. officials tried to bypass a cordon.