Beijing should stop high-handed approaches toward Seoul
China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian cannot deflect criticism for his remark which interferes with Korea's domestic politics, including the presidential election slated for March next year. "We also hope that ROK politicians and the public will voice support for the development of China-ROK relations amid and beyond domestic elections, and inject positive energy into the bilateral relations," Zhao said during a regular press briefing Wednesday. ROK is an acronym of the nation's official name Republic of Korea.
Zhao also mentioned recent statements made by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, a leading presidential hopeful of the opposition camp, and Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), with regard to the issues of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Hong Kong.
"I've noted the remarks by some ROK political figures on issues relating to Hong Kong and THAAD, many of which China finds unacceptable," he said. Stressing Hong Kong is part of China and its affairs are purely China's domestic affairs, he said, "No country, organization or individual has any right to make wanton comments." His remark apparently targeted Lee who mentioned the democracy movement in Hong Kong. It is totally improper for the Chinese foreign ministry to criticize the opposition leader.
Yoon earlier said THAAD has been deployed within our territory and China should first remove its long-range radars installed along the borders before demanding withdrawal of THAAD. Yoon's remark is highly plausible based on common sense. Yet, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming aroused a dispute by denouncing Yoon via a contribution to a domestic daily, claiming THAAD deployment has seriously undermined China's interests.
It's rude and discourteous for an envoy to denounce the remark of a leading presidential aspirant in the country where he is posted. Adding fuel to the controversy, spokesman Zhao defended Xing's statement. "Chinese diplomats posted overseas have the responsibility to make clear China's position on issues concerning major interests of the country in a timely manner," he said.
China's high-handed attitude in dealing with Korea issues has continued since the Moon Jae-in administration has maintained low-profile diplomacy toward the neighboring country. For instance, Korea's foreign ministry has been silent on Taiwan, though its vice minister discussed the matter with his counterparts from the United States and Japan, Wednesday, who gave a briefing on the matter in press conferences. This shows the foreign ministry attempted to take into consideration China's side.
Following the vice-ministerial talks, the U.S. and Japan also gave a briefing on how to contain China in the Indo-Pacific area while Korea kept silence. The Moon administration should squarely cope with China to prevent it from acting so high-handed. It is a matter of national pride and prestige. China should assume a more prudent and gentle manner as a responsible leading member of the international community. Bilateral prosperity and peaceful coexistence is possible only on the basis of mutual respect.
China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian cannot deflect criticism for his remark which interferes with Korea's domestic politics, including the presidential election slated for March next year. "We also hope that ROK politicians and the public will voice support for the development of China-ROK relations amid and beyond domestic elections, and inject positive energy into the bilateral relations," Zhao said during a regular press briefing Wednesday. ROK is an acronym of the nation's official name Republic of Korea.
Zhao also mentioned recent statements made by former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, a leading presidential hopeful of the opposition camp, and Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), with regard to the issues of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Hong Kong.
"I've noted the remarks by some ROK political figures on issues relating to Hong Kong and THAAD, many of which China finds unacceptable," he said. Stressing Hong Kong is part of China and its affairs are purely China's domestic affairs, he said, "No country, organization or individual has any right to make wanton comments." His remark apparently targeted Lee who mentioned the democracy movement in Hong Kong. It is totally improper for the Chinese foreign ministry to criticize the opposition leader.
Yoon earlier said THAAD has been deployed within our territory and China should first remove its long-range radars installed along the borders before demanding withdrawal of THAAD. Yoon's remark is highly plausible based on common sense. Yet, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming aroused a dispute by denouncing Yoon via a contribution to a domestic daily, claiming THAAD deployment has seriously undermined China's interests.
It's rude and discourteous for an envoy to denounce the remark of a leading presidential aspirant in the country where he is posted. Adding fuel to the controversy, spokesman Zhao defended Xing's statement. "Chinese diplomats posted overseas have the responsibility to make clear China's position on issues concerning major interests of the country in a timely manner," he said.
China's high-handed attitude in dealing with Korea issues has continued since the Moon Jae-in administration has maintained low-profile diplomacy toward the neighboring country. For instance, Korea's foreign ministry has been silent on Taiwan, though its vice minister discussed the matter with his counterparts from the United States and Japan, Wednesday, who gave a briefing on the matter in press conferences. This shows the foreign ministry attempted to take into consideration China's side.
Following the vice-ministerial talks, the U.S. and Japan also gave a briefing on how to contain China in the Indo-Pacific area while Korea kept silence. The Moon administration should squarely cope with China to prevent it from acting so high-handed. It is a matter of national pride and prestige. China should assume a more prudent and gentle manner as a responsible leading member of the international community. Bilateral prosperity and peaceful coexistence is possible only on the basis of mutual respect.
