China-ROK ties continue to grow ( 2003-07-07 10:16) (China Daily)
President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Roh
Moo-hyun will arrive in Beijing Monday for a significant state visit to China at
the invitation of President Hu Jintao.
This is Roh's first China tour
since he assumed presidency in February.
The leaders of the two
countries are expected to set "the direction for developing China-ROK relations"
as well as "the expansion and deepening of the substantial co-operative
relations in fields such as politics, economy, trade, culture and personnel
exchange," ROK Ambassador to China Kim Ha-joong told China Daily.
The meeting of the two leaders will surely help "further consolidate the
friendship and mutual trust between them," Kim said.
From the perception of regional security, "a constructive partnership between
Beijing and Seoul will contribute to the peace process on the Korean Peninsula,"
said Yang Bojiang, director of the Northeast Asian Studies Division under
China's Institute of Contemporary International Relations. China and the ROK
established diplomatic relations in August 1992.
The past decade has witnessed comprehensive and vigorous development of
China-ROK relations in all fields. Ambassador Kim described it as
"unprecedented" in the diplomatic history of the two nations.
On the basis of mutual understanding and respect, the political relations
between Beijing and Seoul have become increasingly mature. The high-level
leadership of the two countries have visited and met with one another
frequently.
In 1998, then ROK President Kim Dae-joong visited China and declared with
then President Jiang Zemin that China and the ROK would establish a co-operative
partnership oriented towards the 21st century. During Premier Zhu Rongji's tour
to Seoul in October 2000, the two countries agreed to advance ties to a new
stage of comprehensive collaboration. High-level political co-operation on
various international matters has furthered advances for diplomatic relations.
At the same time, the partnership has made positive contributions to
maintaining the stability and development of East Asia, as well as the world at
large.
Besides the growing governmental exchanges, contact between the two
populations has been expanding as well.
Sun Cheng, a research fellow with China Institute of International Studies,
mentioned an increase in the number of ROK students studying in China. Also,
more and more Chinese tourists are visiting the ROK.
"The Chinese language has become very popular among ROK students and that
country's pop culture is also very much enjoyed by the young people in China,"
Sun said. "Hanbong (Chinese style) and hanliu (ROK fashion) have become two new
pop words in the two countries respectively."
Based on improving political and non-governmental relations, the military
ties between China and the ROK have also become increasingly close. The security
consultation mechanism between the two sides has promoted the establishment of
mutual trust and strengthened co-ordination and communication, according to Yang
Bojiang.
Trade and economic exchanges between the two countries have always been the
highlight in China-ROK relations. According to Sun, since 1992, the trade value
between China and ROK has been growing at the rate of 25 per cent annually. With
trade value in 2002 topping US$44 billion, each has become the third largest
trading partner of the other. As China's fourth largest investor, the ROK's
investment in the nation has so far surpassed US$15 billion. From January to May
this year, the trade value had reached US$22.7 billion, an increase by 44.5 per
cent compared with the same period of last year.
As Kim and Sun pointed out, the major driving force of such a fruitful
relationship is economic interests. Both Beijing and Seoul have benefited a
great deal economically due to their financial complementarity. In fact, it was
the development of the economic relations that acted as a major catalyst to set
up diplomatic ties.
Experts predicted that with the further expansion of the Chinese market as a
result of China's entry into the World Trade Organization, China-ROK trade and
economic co-operation will reach new heights in the years to come.
The ongoing regional economic co-operation as well as development of
high-tech, environmental protection and China's "developing the west" campaign
have provided both countries with new grounds for further collaboration, Sun
noted.
Still, security interests weigh heavily in developing China-ROK relations.
Both countries need a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula and advocate the
resolution of the presence of nuclear weapons on this peninsula.
Regarding the emergence of the nuclear issue last October, both countries
share a common stance and advocate a peaceful solution through dialogue.
A favourable surrounding environment is needed by China to concentrate on
developing its economy, which is the primary objective of its national
development. Perceiving a peaceful reunification of the two Koreas is in the
interests of not only the two sides of the Korean Peninsula, but also the region
and the world at large. Beijing supports Roh's position to continue the policy
of seeking reconciliation instead of confrontation with Pyongyang.
Both Kim and Sun attributed the geographic proximity, historical connections
and cultural similarities between the two nations to the surprisingly rapid
growth of bilateral ties.
The fruitful and speedy development of China-ROK relations, as Sun said,
demonstrates that "the bilateral constructive partnership conforms to the common
interests of the two peoples and nations."
Kim did not think that there were fundamental political disparities between
China and the ROK, and experts foresee a promising future for China-ROK
relations.
Roh's visit to China is viewed as a part of the consistent effort by both
sides to maintain a positive trend in the bilateral relationship's development.
In a world of accelerated globalization, the co-operation between members of the
international community is constantly expanding.
As two major Asian powers, China and ROK should make responsible joint
efforts to promote regional economic development and maintain the security and
stability of both nations and the world.
