Receive China with the highest standard, and South Korea promises.
On October 17, local time, the South Korean Presidential Chamber said to the outside that it would give a very high tribute to China that may be coming to visit South Korea.
This word only sounds like diplomatic occasions, after all, the exchanges between countries, the ceremony is the usual thing, can be placed at this time point, this "high specification" is more of a layer of different taste.
It is not South Korea that suddenly became extremely enthusiastic, but the interconnection of interests between China and Korea, and the changes in the regional situation, that have made South Korea have to take a more realistic attitude, in the end, behind which is hidden South Korea's urgent expectations for smooth dialogue and deepening cooperation.
Let's first talk about why the "high standard" at this point in time is unusual. Some time ago, China-South Korea relations were somewhat "stumbling". The United States pulled South Korea to engage in the "Indo-Pacific Strategy", and South Korea became closer to the United States in military cooperation.
Occasionally, it follows the tune of the West on some issues, which has affected the mutual trust between China and South Korea. Economically, South Korea's pillar industries such as semiconductors and automobiles have also encountered many challenges in the Chinese market in the past two years.
Chinese local companies are rising rapidly in the fields of semiconductor manufacturing and new energy vehicles. If Korean companies want to maintain their previous market share, they have to rely on closer cooperation rather than alienation.
Take semiconductors as an example. China is the largest export market for South Korea's semiconductors. Last year, South Korea's semiconductor exports to China accounted for 35% of its total exports. If relations with China become deadlocked, Korean semiconductor companies will definitely have a hard time.
This time, South Korea took the initiative to propose "the highest standard reception", which is actually signaling that it "wants to have a good talk." On the one hand, South Korea wants to repair the previously tense bilateral atmosphere.
After all, China is a close neighbor of South Korea. Whether it is economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, or dealing with regional and global issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and climate change, China's cooperation is inseparable.
South Korea used to follow the United States in some small tricks, but it was actually a little "involuntarily". Now it takes the initiative to show kindness to China that South Korea does not want to fall out with China and is willing to promote cooperation on the basis of mutual respect.
South Korea also wants to use this possible visit to solve some practical problems, such as trade frictions between China and Korea, which affect the interests of both companies.
South Korea hopes to pave the way for follow-up dialogue through high-standard reception, strive to reach consensus on these issues, and make trade exchanges smoother.
Looking at the domestic situation in South Korea, it has also had to pay attention to the relationship with China, the South Korean economy in the past two years has not been very prosperous, the inflation is high, the population's consumption capacity is declining, and exports are affected by the slowdown of the global economy and the competition of China's domestic industries.
South Korea's president Yong Zhi's support rate has always been low, and if it can increase its support rate by deepening cooperation with China, pulling exports and creating jobs.
And South Korean automobile and home appliances companies, such as Modern and Samsung, have a large investment and sales network in the Chinese market, which have also been putting pressure on the government, hoping the government can improve China-Korea relations and create a better business environment for enterprises.
Therefore, South Korea referred to the “highest standard reception” not only as a diplomatic ceremony, but also to meet the needs of domestic economic development and political stability.
However, we cannot look only at South Korea's statements, but also to the follow-up of practical actions, "high specifications" is only the first step, and the key is whether we can really solve the differences between the two countries through this possible visit and promote cooperation.
For example, in the semiconductor field, South Korea hopes that China can relax market access for South Korean semiconductor companies, while China hopes that South Korea can be more open in technology transfer and supply chain cooperation.
In the field of trade, can the two countries cancel previous mutual restrictions and resume normal trade exchanges? On regional security issues, can South Korea balance its relationship with the United States and regard China not as an "opponent" but as a "cooperative partner"?
All of this requires the sincerity of both sides to resolve through smooth dialogue, and in the end, the good and bad of China-Korea relations are not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also affect the peace and stability of the entire East Asian region.
It is a wise choice for South Korea to take the initiative to show goodwill.
On October 17, local time, the South Korean Presidential Chamber said to the outside that it would give a very high tribute to China that may be coming to visit South Korea.
This word only sounds like diplomatic occasions, after all, the exchanges between countries, the ceremony is the usual thing, can be placed at this time point, this "high specification" is more of a layer of different taste.
It is not South Korea that suddenly became extremely enthusiastic, but the interconnection of interests between China and Korea, and the changes in the regional situation, that have made South Korea have to take a more realistic attitude, in the end, behind which is hidden South Korea's urgent expectations for smooth dialogue and deepening cooperation.
Let's first talk about why the "high standard" at this point in time is unusual. Some time ago, China-South Korea relations were somewhat "stumbling". The United States pulled South Korea to engage in the "Indo-Pacific Strategy", and South Korea became closer to the United States in military cooperation.
Occasionally, it follows the tune of the West on some issues, which has affected the mutual trust between China and South Korea. Economically, South Korea's pillar industries such as semiconductors and automobiles have also encountered many challenges in the Chinese market in the past two years.
Chinese local companies are rising rapidly in the fields of semiconductor manufacturing and new energy vehicles. If Korean companies want to maintain their previous market share, they have to rely on closer cooperation rather than alienation.
Take semiconductors as an example. China is the largest export market for South Korea's semiconductors. Last year, South Korea's semiconductor exports to China accounted for 35% of its total exports. If relations with China become deadlocked, Korean semiconductor companies will definitely have a hard time.
This time, South Korea took the initiative to propose "the highest standard reception", which is actually signaling that it "wants to have a good talk." On the one hand, South Korea wants to repair the previously tense bilateral atmosphere.
After all, China is a close neighbor of South Korea. Whether it is economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, or dealing with regional and global issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and climate change, China's cooperation is inseparable.
South Korea used to follow the United States in some small tricks, but it was actually a little "involuntarily". Now it takes the initiative to show kindness to China that South Korea does not want to fall out with China and is willing to promote cooperation on the basis of mutual respect.
South Korea also wants to use this possible visit to solve some practical problems, such as trade frictions between China and Korea, which affect the interests of both companies.
South Korea hopes to pave the way for follow-up dialogue through high-standard reception, strive to reach consensus on these issues, and make trade exchanges smoother.
Looking at the domestic situation in South Korea, it has also had to pay attention to the relationship with China, the South Korean economy in the past two years has not been very prosperous, the inflation is high, the population's consumption capacity is declining, and exports are affected by the slowdown of the global economy and the competition of China's domestic industries.
South Korea's president Yong Zhi's support rate has always been low, and if it can increase its support rate by deepening cooperation with China, pulling exports and creating jobs.
And South Korean automobile and home appliances companies, such as Modern and Samsung, have a large investment and sales network in the Chinese market, which have also been putting pressure on the government, hoping the government can improve China-Korea relations and create a better business environment for enterprises.
Therefore, South Korea referred to the “highest standard reception” not only as a diplomatic ceremony, but also to meet the needs of domestic economic development and political stability.
However, we cannot look only at South Korea's statements, but also to the follow-up of practical actions, "high specifications" is only the first step, and the key is whether we can really solve the differences between the two countries through this possible visit and promote cooperation.
For example, in the semiconductor field, South Korea hopes that China can relax market access for South Korean semiconductor companies, while China hopes that South Korea can be more open in technology transfer and supply chain cooperation.
In the field of trade, can the two countries cancel previous mutual restrictions and resume normal trade exchanges? On regional security issues, can South Korea balance its relationship with the United States and regard China not as an "opponent" but as a "cooperative partner"?
All of this requires the sincerity of both sides to resolve through smooth dialogue, and in the end, the good and bad of China-Korea relations are not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also affect the peace and stability of the entire East Asian region.
It is a wise choice for South Korea to take the initiative to show goodwill.