China unlikely to replace its envoy to Korea: experts

President Yoon Suk Yeol talks with Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming after paying tribute to late former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin at a memorial altar set up at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, Dec. 2, 2022. Courtesy of presidential office

Seoul urged to be prudent regarding calls to expel envoy

By Lee Hyo-jin

China is unlikely to replace its embattled ambassador to Korea, Xing Haiming, according to diplomatic observers, despite Seoul's calls for Beijing to take “proper measures” over the envoy's controversial remarks criticizing the Korean government's foreign policy.

They also said calls from some ruling party politicians to expel the envoy will not help relieve tensions between the two countries.

Korea's presidential office said Tuesday that it is waiting for Beijing to take appropriate measures after Xing recently said Korea was making a “wrong bet” by leaning toward the United States amid the intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing.

Although the government did not specify what measures it expects from China, the statement was widely viewed as a strong request to have Xing replaced.

The Chinese envoy's remarks, which came during a dinner with main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Jae-myung last Thursday, triggered a diplomatic feud between Seoul and Beijing. Officials and lawmakers here have condemned Xing for attempting to interfere in Korea's domestic affairs.

As tensions escalated between the two countries, National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong said, Wednesday, that “there should not be any actions that hinder and regress the healthy development of Korea-China relations.”

“The stance of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration on bilateral relations with China is to promote the healthy development of the relationship focusing on mutual respect and common interests,” he told reporters, without elaborating on what measures he anticipates from Beijing.

However, the Chinese government is not likely to take any measures regarding Xing, according to Kang Joon-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

“There is a slim chance of China replacing the ambassador at this point, which would only mean that it admits the fact that Xing's remarks were inappropriate. In fact, his actions are being positively viewed in his country,” Kang said.

During a briefing on Tuesday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin defended Xing, saying, “It is part of Xing Haiming's job to engage extensively with people from various walks of life in Korea with an aim of increasing understanding, promoting cooperation and advancing China-ROK relations … There is no point in making an issue of this.”

Lee Sang-man, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University, also believed that the Chinese government will not penalize Xing.

“There is a chance for China to replace Xing in the coming months. But in a regular reshuffle of its diplomats, not as a penalty,” he said.

Xing, who was appointed to his current post in January 2020, has been serving for over three years. Although the exact term of an ambassador is not set, an envoy usually serves for three years in a host country before receiving a new assignment.

Lee also thinks that Xing may be promoted when he returns to Beijing for doing well in representing China's interests.

Lee added that Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye, who recently sparked outrage from his host country due to his remarks siding with Russia in the war in Ukraine, is expected to be promoted to a ministerial position once he returns to China later this month.

The expert advised that the Korean government should be more prudent regarding calls by ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers to declare Xing as “persona non grata.”

“Both nations should find ways to de-escalate tensions. Otherwise, the situation would turn out unfavorably for both sides,” he said.

Some PPP lawmakers also cautioned against such calls to expel Xing.

“Instead of resorting to expulsion, we should seek new a breakthrough by opening up a new path in bilateral relations,” Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun said during a radio interview, Wednesday.