On October 13, not long after the APEC summit, South Korea suddenly “came first”.The Korean Associated Press that South Korean Foreign Minister Zhao Ziyang announced at the congress of the same day that China would send senior officials to personally visit South Korea, and that South Korea would push for talks with the Chinese and South Korean leaders.
According to diplomatic practice, there is a clear rhythm and order of information release between the inviting country and the invited party, especially when it involves sensitive arrangements such as leaders 'visits. It usually has to wait for consultation and confirmation by both parties before being released uniformly.
But South Korea this time obviously didn't wait for the Chinese side to knock on the head, and directly proclaimed it. This type of run-off action, people can't help ask: what is South Korea really in a hurry?
“Economic pressure is high,” Lee was in a hurry to find a breakthrough.
On the surface, this is a small diplomatic move, but the reason behind it is not simple. In fact, just look at the current economic situation of South Korea to understand why it is so anxious.
This two years, South Korea's export industry pressure is not small. chip, car, battery these traditional advantages industry, two in a row three encountered global market adjustment, coupled with the influence of the Chinese and American game, many South Korean enterprises are not good at both sides.
In particular, it is very dependent on the China market and has long become an important part of the South Korean economy. After Li Ziming came to power, he was obviously adjusting his China policy.
He did not emphasize "getting closer to the United States" like the previous administration, but repeatedly sent signals that he hoped to ease relations with China.
This APEC summit is held in South Korea, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. If senior China officials can be invited, it will not only appease domestic market expectations, but also gain a sense of presence in diplomacy.
For a president facing domestic economic pressures and volatility in support rates, this “high-quality meeting” is important.
South Korea attempts to carry “diplomatic private goods”
In addition to economic considerations, deeper reasons are actually inseparable from Sino-US relations.
In recent years, there have been a lot of fluctuations in U.S. policy towards China, especially in terms of tariffs, technical control and other internal disputes.
In order to ease tensions with China, the United States is also looking for a suitable dialogue window. Trump has repeatedly mentioned that he wants to meet with China. The APEC Summit is just a natural platform. If Chinese and US leaders can meet here, it may also send a signal of "relaxation."
For South Korea, if it can facilitate such a meeting, it will not only enhance its strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region, but also show the outside world that "South Korea is a bridge between China and the United States." This is tantamount to a political bonus for Li Zaiming.
But things are not so simple, South Korea wants to use the APEC platform, both grabbing China, and responding to the United States, and also want to raise its international role, this multi-headed approach, looks very smart, but the risk is not small.
Moreover, North Korea is also watching side by side. Recently, frequent interactions between the DPRK and the DPRK have made South Korea feel somewhat upset.
In order to avoid being marginalized in the Korean Peninsula affairs, South Korea also hopes to regain regional speech by interacting with China.
So this summit is not just a multilateral meeting, but also a full-scale game of South Korea trying to find a breakthrough under multiple pressures.
Faced with South Korea's "preemptive official announcement", China has not responded to it.
For China, the rhythm of diplomacy is about reciprocity and respect. If a country unilaterally releases information, it is tantamount to forcibly pushing China to the front of the stage. This practice inevitably makes people feel "a bit unruly".
In addition, China’s recent regulatory measures against some Korean companies in the field of technology trade can also be seen as a signal released outside of diplomacy.
Lee is in the “Great Bet”, the victory will be followed.
From the perspective of the whole incident, South Korea’s initiative is indeed a “high-risk operation”.Lee in Ming hopes to use this to seize diplomatic initiative, strengthen economic confidence, and at the same time improve his governing image.
But there are two prerequisites for the success of this strategy: one is that Chinese officials participate in the conference, and the other is that the summit can really substantial results.
As long as one condition is not met, South Korea may fall into a passive state. After all, this "official announcement" was first released by his government itself.
From a diplomatic perspective, although South Korea's operation this time has its urgent needs, it is a little impatient in controlling the pace.
China-ROK relations cannot be warmed up immediately by a summit. The issues involved in economic and trade dependence, regional security, strategic trust and other issues require long-term communication and mutual trust establishment, rather than a "microphone grab" solution.
China has also demonstrated its diplomatic rhythm and strategic determination. In the face of sudden "official announcements", it has neither panicked nor rushed to respond, but has retained flexibility. This handling method objectively avoids escalation of the situation and also safeguards the basic rules of diplomacy.
The next key depends on the official news of China.
After APEC, the big test really begins
Whether the APEC summit ended with a bustling end or a sluggish end, South Korea and Lee are facing a bigger problem: how to find their place in the Sino-American strategic game.
If South Korea really wants to play a role between China and the United States, it must more clearly understand its limitations and responsibilities. Frequent swing between two major countries may have certain benefits in the short term, but in the long run, this strategy is not highly sustainable.
Especially in the context of the increasingly obvious friction in China and the United States, vague positions will only allow themselves to become more passive.
Li Ziming's dangerous move is not impossible, but it requires more follow-up cooperation. If no substantive results follow up in the later period, this "diplomatic rush" is likely to become an idle political show.
For the ROK, this may be a far-reaching strategic test.
Li initiated the strike in Ming, putting out a series of "preemptive" platforms, and wanted to seize a favorable position on the diplomatic stage.
But diplomacy is not about whoever wins quickly. The key is to see whether the other party admits it or not. China's silence is actually a measured response, and it also conveys an attitude: cooperation is possible, but the rhythm cannot be chaotic and the rules cannot be broken.
South Korea tried to push strategic goals in multiple directions with one meeting, although there was a plan, but also seemed to be in a hurry.
Whether we can win respect depends not on grabbing the right to speak, but on stabilizing our position and clarifying our direction.
The summit hasn't opened yet, but this diplomatic contest has quietly started. South Korea's move, in the end, is a beautiful first move or a hasty advance, and we have to wait for time to give an answer.