[Editorial] A new, dynamic relationship between S.K.-China

Posted on : 2007-04-11 14:50 KST Modified on : 2007-04-11 14:50 KST

Korea and China have built a very dynamic relationship in the 15 years since they established diplomatic relations. China is Korea's largest trading partner and Korea is China's fourth. Both nations are closely cooperating on issues relating to North Korea. The summits that are held between the two at least once a year always take place in a friendly atmosphere. The press conference in Seoul held yesterday by Korean president Roh Moo-hyun and Chinese prime minister Wen Jiabao showed you that relations have entered a new phase.

Topics of lively discussion at this summit included the creation of a peace regime for the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia as well as ways to achieve progress at the six-party talks. That is a step forward from the summit last year, which focused on the North Korean nuclear issue, and the 2005 summit, where the two sides talked about distortions of history. This time, the two sides agreed on the establishment of a hotline between their air and naval forces and signed an agreement on sea rescues, evidence that relations are becoming more significant in military matters, as well. The pace of economic relations is picking up speed, too. At the 2003 summit, they agreed on increasing trade by US$100 billion over five years, but by last year they were already trading more than US$130 billion. Now the two sides have agreed to increase trade to US$200 billion by 2012.

This is not to say that relations are going to be a rose garden. Quantitative expansion that lacks real substance tends to cause conflict. One example would be China's Northeast Project, or its analysis of history that has fueled conflict with Korea. China recently finished that project, but never publicly announced the fact in a big way because of fears it would upset Korea again. In other words, the embers of discord remain. Increased Chinese national strength means it has more influence on the Korean peninsula. Unless there is a fully functioning mechanism for coexistence among the nations of Northeast Asia, there will be an increased possibility of conflict between China and the two Koreas, and between China and the U.S. and Japan. The discussion Roh and Wen had about a free trade agreement between China and Korea could end up being the eye of the typhoon. Instead of moving hastily while looking only at the positive side of things, the two countries need to give an FTA scrupulous thought after both strengthen their economies.

Korea and China have succeeded at developing their "full cooperation partnership" in recent years. Relations in the future will depend on how well each side understands the other and how well they are able to expand the pathway of coexistence. It is time to create a strategic relationship, one at a higher level based on the bigger picture of establishing an East Asian community, going beyond the issues relating to economic matters and North Korea, which have been what contributed to relations so far.



Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

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