[Full Text] "Han, Wrong Judgment"... Singhaiming, Chinese Ambassador's Candid Remarks

Current Challenges in Korea-China Relations
Korea Must Respect China's Core Interests
Close Connection of Both Countries' Industrial and Supply Chains

China Hopes for Improvement in Inter-Korean Relations
Must Prevent Japan's Nuclear Wastewater Discharge

Sing Haiming (邢海明), the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, met with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and made pointed remarks about the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's foreign policy, stating that "betting on the United States winning and China losing is a wrong judgment."

On the evening of the 8th, Ambassador Sing invited Lee to the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where they discussed Korea-China relations and the Korean Peninsula issue. He strongly criticized the South Korean government's diplomacy closely aligned with the United States and Japan. This meeting was arranged following a proposal from the Chinese Embassy in Korea to the Democratic Party last month.

Below is the full text of Ambassador Sing Haiming's remarks provided to the media by the Chinese Embassy in Korea.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, at the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on the evening of the 8th and toured the residence. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

On June 8, Ambassador Sing Haiming met with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the residence to exchange views on Korea-China relations and the Korean Peninsula issue. Ambassador Sing's remarks are as follows.

Current Difficulties in Korea-China Relations... South Korea Must Also Respect China's Core Interests

Korea and China are neighbors who cannot move away from each other and inseparable partners. For thousands of years, the peoples of both countries have learned from each other and reflected each other, jointly creating a brilliant Eastern civilization. Since modern times, in the face of Japanese imperialist aggression, the peoples of Korea and China stood united against a common enemy, helping each other through hardships. Together, they achieved national independence and liberation. Thirty-one years ago, the two countries broke the frozen ice of the Cold War and overcame ideological barriers to establish diplomatic relations. The original intention of this diplomatic establishment was for neighbors to support each other, promote mutual progress, and maintain friendly relations. This original intention has led to abundant achievements in cooperation across various fields that the world has taken note of. Regardless of past, present, or future, there are countless reasons why Korea-China relations can only prosper, and not a single reason why they cannot.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to Korea and Korea-China relations. Therefore, it is wholeheartedly committed to developing Korea-China relations well and has devoted considerable effort to this. However, currently, Korea-China relations face many difficulties. Honestly, the responsibility does not lie with China. China has consistently respected South Korea's core interests, and South Korea must also respect China's core interests. The Taiwan issue is at the heart of China's core interests and is fundamental to Korea-China relations. We hope that the Korean side will properly honor its commitments and firmly respect China's core concerns regarding the Taiwan issue and others.

On the afternoon of the 8th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and shook hands with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea. On this day, Lee and Ambassador Xing discussed joint measures to prevent Japan's "Fukushima contaminated water discharge into the ocean," as well as strengthening economic cooperation and public diplomacy between the two countries. Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps

Industrial and Supply Chains of Both Countries Are Closely Connected... Betting on China's Defeat Will Surely Be Regretted

Recently, South Korea has been closely monitoring the issue of its growing trade deficit with China. This is partly due to objective reasons such as the unfavorable global economic situation and the semiconductor industry's downturn. However, some believe that attempts to promote 'de-Chinaization' are a more significant cause. The industrial and supply chains of the two countries are closely interconnected, forming an inseparable economic structure where 'I am in you, and you are in me.' China has a vast market and always keeps its doors open to the outside world. We believe that if South Korea firmly maintains its confidence in cooperation with China, adapts to changes in the Chinese market and industrial structure, and timely adjusts its investment strategy toward China, it will surely continue to enjoy the benefits of China's economic growth.

The current international situation is becoming increasingly complex. Korea-China relations face challenges from external factors. We hope South Korea will handle its relationship with China free from external interference. Amid the United States' full-scale pressure on China, some are betting that the U.S. will win and China will lose. However, this is clearly a wrong judgment and a failure to grasp the flow of history. These people do not understand China's history and social system, nor the firm will of the Chinese people under President Xi Jinping's leadership to realize the great Chinese Dream. They merely engage in armchair theorizing. Thirty years ago, those who viewed China negatively advocated the 'China collapse theory.' But after 30 years, China has proven those claims wrong through solid achievements. It can be asserted that those betting on China's defeat will surely regret it later.

Due to various factors, mutual public sentiment between Korea and China currently faces problems. However, according to research by Tsinghua University in China, as of January this year, the Korea-China relations index was 4.1 (with 10 being the highest and -10 the lowest). The China-U.S. and China-Japan relations indices were -8 and -5.6, respectively. This indicates that the fundamental tone of Korea-China relations remains 'friendly.' We must cherish the hard-won achievements in bilateral relations. Also, with the urgency expressed by the saying 'a boat going against the current must forge ahead or it will retreat,' we must bravely overcome the storms and obstacles in Korea-China relations and move forward. Only then can we bring benefits to both countries and their peoples and safeguard regional peace, unity, and development. The Democratic Party of Korea values relations with China, has long engaged in friendly exchanges across various sectors, and has vigorously promoted mutually beneficial cooperation. Under the current situation, we hope the party leader will continue to show interest and support for Korea-China relations and actively contribute to enhancing Korean society's accurate understanding of China and the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

China Also Hopes for Improvement in Inter-Korean Relations... Must Prevent Japan's Discharge of Nuclear Wastewater into the Ocean

China continues to uphold the position of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, denuclearization, and resolving issues through dialogue and negotiation. Currently, tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising again. China appeals to the relevant countries to maintain calm and restraint, promptly resume the 'double suspension' initiative, and promote easing tensions and resuming dialogue. In this process, the relevant countries must take practical measures and actions to effectively address each other's reasonable security concerns. China also hopes that both North and South Korea will start from the national interest, promote reconciliation and cooperation through dialogue, and strive to improve relations. China will continue to work on related matters in its own way and play an active and constructive role in the political resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue.

The Japanese government repeatedly attempts to 'justify' the discharge of Fukushima nuclear wastewater into the ocean. It claims that 'the water quality poses no harm to human health, so the discharge is legitimate,' and regards ocean discharge as the only solution for treating nuclear wastewater. However, this has been proven to be entirely untrue. Recent investigations found that cesium, a radioactive element detected in fish caught in the Fukushima nuclear harbor, exceeded standards, reaching 180 times the Japanese legal limit, causing shock. Fukushima nuclear wastewater contains more than 60 types of radioactive substances, many of which currently lack effective treatment technologies. Based on available information, ocean discharge is expected to continue for 30 years. Related radioactive substances could spread to more than half of the Pacific Ocean within 57 days from the start of discharge and reach all ocean areas worldwide within 10 years. Japan is turning the Pacific Ocean into its household sewer for economic and other benefits. This is an extremely irresponsible act. Japan is expected to formally decide soon on the ocean discharge of nuclear wastewater. As neighboring countries, China and South Korea must do their utmost to prevent Japan's discharge of nuclear wastewater into the ocean to protect the safety of their citizens and the global marine ecological environment.