The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding Ambassador Xing Haiming's "China betting" remarks and the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs' protest that it "hopes the focus will be on realizing the stability and development of China-South Korea relations."
Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed this in a post on the ministry's website on the 9th, responding to a reporter's related question, saying, "Currently, China-South Korea relations are facing difficulties and challenges, and the responsibility does not lie with China."
Spokesperson Wang also added, "It is within Ambassador Xing's duties to have broad contact with the South Korean government, political parties, and various sectors of society to exchange views on bilateral relations and common interests, and to introduce China's position and concerns."
The day before, Ambassador Xing met for dinner with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the Chinese ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, where he made remarks seemingly targeting the South Korean government's close alignment with the United States. He said, "In a situation where the United States is exerting full pressure on China, some are betting that the United States will win and China will lose," adding, "This is clearly a wrong judgment and a failure to properly understand the flow of history." He emphasized, "What can be asserted is that those currently betting on China's defeat will surely regret it later."
In response, Jang Ho-jin, First Vice Minister of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summoned Ambassador Xing to the ministry's building in Jongno-gu that morning, issuing a stern warning and expressing strong regret over the unreasonable and provocative remarks that violate diplomatic conventions.
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