Leaders of China and South Korea called Wednesday for a boost in relations on the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, as Seoul faces a delicate balancing act between its security ally, the United States, and its largest trading partner.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory letters, with Yoon expressing hope that "new ways of cooperation" can be found over the next 30 years and Xi calling for "a substantive friendship" with the anniversary as the new starting point, the South Korean presidential office said.
Xi pointed out the need for the two sides to heed "each other`s core interests and major concerns" and "eliminate interference" so as to create a better future for bilateral relations, apparently keeping the United States in mind, according to Chinese state-run media.
Yoon also asked China to play a constructive role in solving issues concerning North Korea`s nuclear development and deepen cooperation in such areas as economic security, including measures to strengthen supply chains, and climate change.
The South Korean leader voiced hope to meet with Xi to have discussions in person so they can improve bilateral ties for the next 30 years.
The anniversary came as Beijing hopes for Seoul`s support amid its growing rift with Washington over tensions in the Taiwan Strait and other issues. Under President Yoon, who took office in May, Seoul is trying to boost security, economic and other ties with the United States.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged his South Korean counterpart Park Jin during their meeting in the eastern port city of Qingdao on Aug. 9 to "maintain independence and self-reliance," saying the two sides should not interfere with each other`s domestic affairs and not be affected by "external obstacles."
The Global Times, a tabloid of China`s ruling Communist Party, warned Wednesday against some pro-U.S. political forces in South Korea leaning toward Washington, saying such behavior could cast a shadow over the future of Seoul-Beijing ties.
According to the Korean International Trade Association, bilateral trade grew about 47 times from $6.4 billion in 1992 to a record $301.5 billion last year, with China replacing the United States in 2003 as South Korea`s biggest export destination.
In 2007, China topped Japan to become South Korea`s largest export market. However, shares of South Korean vehicles and smartphones in China have been decreasing in recent years against a backdrop of increased competitiveness by Chinese manufacturers.
Beijing-Seoul ties have faced challenges recently over a U.S. move to deepen cooperation in semiconductor production with South Korea as well as Taiwan and Japan, and Yoon`s bid to further promote the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system -- the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense.
Believing the system`s radar would enhance the U.S. military`s ability to spy on its territory, China implemented retaliatory measures after Seoul agreed with Washington in 2016 on the THAAD deployment, causing South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group to scale down its retail operations in China.
Lotte Group said last week it will pull out of the Chinese market.
Anti-China sentiment is high in South Korea, with a survey by the East Asia Institute, a think tank in the country, showing last year that 74 percent of South Koreans polled had a negative impression of China.
In an apparent move to not harm Seoul`s relations with China, Yoon did not meet with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her visit to South Korea on Aug. 4, opting for phone talks instead.
Pelosi`s trip to the self-ruled democratic island of Taiwan, which Beijing regards as its own, has infuriated China. The presidential office then cited that Yoon was on holiday.