Hong Kong media: Steady development of China South Korea relations is not an option, but an inevitable choice
On January 6th, the IT Times of South Korea published an article titled "Restarting South Korea China Relations: From Diplomatic Thaw to Economic and Technological Stress Test." The recent meeting between South Korean and Chinese leaders is far from symbolic, but has rekindled the core issue lingering in Northeast Asia: Can the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China be effectively transformed into measurable economic and technological cooperation achievements?
China is South Korea's largest trading partner, while South Korea is China's third largest trading partner. Due to factors such as geopolitical risks and the pressure of supply chain decoupling, bilateral trade growth is sluggish. The economic agenda of this summit focuses on the effective repair of the supply chain. Against the backdrop of increasingly fragmented global supply chains, Seoul and Beijing are exploring whether regional integration can become a stabilizer.
The cooperation between the two sides is shifting from traditional manufacturing to platform based, data intensive industries. South Korea's advantages lie in the application of artificial intelligence, system integration, and industrial software; China's advantages lie in its data scale, urban infrastructure, and deployment capabilities. The scale of joint projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, smart cities, and big data is unmatched by other bilateral partnerships.
Deepening cultural cooperation between South Korea and China has also been included in the agenda. Culture plays a risk buffering role and is crucial for maintaining public trust. Restarting co productions and communication with creators may not boost GDP overnight, but it can reduce transaction costs for future economic cooperation. (Author Yeon Choul woong)
The original title of the article on January 7 of Dim sum Daily in Hong Kong: the steady development of China South Korea relations is not dispensable, but the inevitable choice of South Korean President Lee Jae ming's visit to China and the ensuing extensive political and commercial interaction marks a critical moment for the reshaping of the future pattern of Northeast Asia. Both sides are based on a clear understanding of reality: a stable China South Korea relationship is not a luxury, but a fundamental guarantee for the prosperity, security, and long-term strategic position of both countries.
The two countries' economies are deeply integrated, with complementary industrial advantages rather than opposition; The people of both countries, especially the younger generation, have long been accustomed to living in a daily ecology where Chinese and Korean brands, culture, and technology coexist and intertwine. Therefore, the question is not whether Beijing and Seoul should cooperate, but how quickly and boldly both sides can elevate their cooperation to a level that matches their common interests.
Li Zaiming chose to visit China in the early stages of his administration, especially against the backdrop of intensified global competition and external pressure to "take sides", fully demonstrating his strategic maturity, and placing China South Korea relations at the core of South Korea's foreign policy. The Chinese side expresses its willingness to work with the South Korean side to firmly grasp the direction of friendly cooperation and uphold the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results; The South Korean side also expressed their intention to seek common ground while reserving differences and deepen the strategic partnership between South Korea and China. This wording is not empty rhetoric, but reflects the common understanding of both parties: once the relationship is disrupted by external agendas and deviates from the track, both parties will pay a heavy price.
If politics builds the framework, business provides validation. The presence of over 200 South Korean business figures in the delegation of Lee Jae myung is not a symbolic gesture, but a compass for rational consideration. South Korean industry pioneers see China as an inseparable part of their future. Large Korean companies have established factories and research and development centers in China, relying on the country's vast market size, deep supply chain foundation, and strong innovation capabilities. China benefits from South Korea's technological advantages in the fields of semiconductors, batteries, display panels, and advanced manufacturing. For many Korean companies, China is both a key production base and an irreplaceable market. In the current era of fragile global supply chains and rising protectionism, the message they convey is crystal clear: a desire for predictability, openness, and a stable framework for cooperation with Beijing.
Establishing a constructive and predictable relationship with Beijing is one of the most reliable ways for South Korea to expand its strategic maneuvering space on the international stage. (Translated by Xin Bin)