Chinese Scholar: "China's Retaliation Due to South Korean Politicians' Visit to Taiwan"

"China Urges Patience from Countries"
"South Korea's High Dependence on China Makes It an Easy Target"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] A claim has been raised by a Chinese state-affiliated scholar that China's full suspension of short-term visa issuance for South Korean citizens traveling to China, seen as a 'quarantine retaliation' against the South Korean government, may be due to last month's visit to Taiwan by South Korean politicians. The high dependence of the South Korean economy on China was also analyzed as one of the reasons for targeting South Korea with retaliatory measures.

According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 11th, Professor Si Yinhong of Renmin University, an advisor to the Chinese State Council, mentioned to the media that among countries that have strengthened quarantine measures for Chinese nationals entering their borders, South Korea was the first target of reciprocal measures possibly because of last month's visit to Taiwan by South Korean lawmakers.

Earlier, when a delegation of lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, including National Assembly Vice Speaker Jung Woo-taek, visited Taiwan last month, China strongly opposed it, calling it an "unauthorized visit."

Professor Si explained, "South Koreans are neighbors, and the South Korean economy is heavily dependent on China," adding, "Therefore, targeting South Koreans seems easier." It was analyzed that the limited scope of reciprocal measures South Korea could take might be a reason. He also stated, "There is a significant difference in China's tolerance toward the actions of different countries," and added, "China would only take reciprocal measures when the United States does something extremely bad, but South Korea would be targeted even for minor actions."

Not only South Korea but also the United States and major European Union (EU) countries recently mandated COVID-19 testing for travelers arriving from China due to the spread of COVID-19 within China. However, China yesterday suspended the issuance of short-term visas to China only for South Korea and Japan. It is understood that no similar measures were taken against the United States or the EU.

He said, "Even if China takes retaliatory measures against some other Western countries, generally the intensity would be weaker than what it does against South Korea."