Envoys of Russia, China demonstrate close ties ahead of S. Korea-US-Japan summit
Russian Ambassador to South Korea Andrey Kulik, left, speaks with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming during their bilateral meeting at the Embassy of China in Seoul, Aug. 10. Courtesy of Embassy of Russia in Korea
By Lee Hyo-jin
Russian and Chinese ambassadors to Seoul and Pyongyang have recently held meetings together, respectively, in what appears to be a demonstration of close ties between Moscow and Beijing ahead of a high-stakes summit between South Korea, the United States and Japan.
According to the Russian and Chinese embassies in Seoul, Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik met with Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming last Thursday at the latter's office.
“Russian diplomats in Seoul visited the Chinese Embassy at the invitation of Chinese friends. The two sides discussed Russia-China relations and issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula in a warm, friendly mood,” the Russian Embassy said in a Facebook post, Thursday.
The Chinese Embassy issued a similar statement, saying that the two envoys exchanged views on Sino-Russian relations, the Korean Peninsula and other international and regional issues in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
A parallel meeting occurred in Pyongyang on the same day, where Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun invited his Russian counterpart, Alexander Matsegora, to the Chinese Embassy.
In a Facebook post, Saturday, the Russian Embassy in North Korea described the meeting as taking place in a "warm and friendly atmosphere," with the ambassadors exchanging views on various issues and committing to "continue close cooperation and friendly interaction.”
The series of meetings between the envoys came about a week before a trilateral summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minster Fumio Kishida slated for Aug. 18 at Camp David.
Both Russia and China have been increasingly wary of the deepening ties between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, which they perceive as an expansion of the U.S.-led order in the East Asian region.
Speculation is rising that the envisioned summit may serve as momentum to institutionalize the trilateral security cooperation, as the three leaders may agree on holding the three-way summit on a regular basis.
China has already expressed discomfort about the deepening solidarity between the U.S. and its two Asian allies. Earlier this month, in an editorial in China's official mouthpiece Global Times about the upcoming Camp David summit, it urged South Korea and Japan to “carefully consider their actions before proceeding.”
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