China News Service, May 26. In recent days, the South Korean and American leaders mentioned the Taiwan Strait issue in a joint statement after the talks, which aroused the attention of all parties. Some South Korean media said they were worried that South Korea would once again return to the wire rope between China and the United States.
Regarding the Taiwan issue, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that other countries should not intervene in internal affairs.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued that the ROK direction should exercise restraint on issues involving China’s internal affairs.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Resources of Korea, Moon Seung-yu, stated that China is an important trading partner of South Korea and South Korea will continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation with China.
Data map: US President Biden.
South Korea-U.S. joint statement mentions Taiwan Strait issues
China resolutely stated: Do not interfere in China's internal affairs
US President Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in issued a joint statement after meeting on the 21st, mentioning Taiwan and other issues.
The statement emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
At a regular press conference on the 24th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that China has taken note of the relevant content of the joint statement and expressed concern about this. The development of U.S.-South Korea relations should be conducive to promoting regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, not the other way around. It should not harm the interests of third parties, including China.
Zhao Lijian emphasized that the Taiwan issue is purely an internal affair of China, which is related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and does not allow any external forces to interfere. China urges relevant countries to be cautious in their words and deeds on the Taiwan issue and not to play with fire.
On the same day, Xing Haiming, the Chinese ambassador to South Korea, also said at a seminar that he "felt very regretful" about the matter.
Data map: South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
South Korea is walking a tightrope between China and the United States?
South Korea responds to China's alleged lack of persuasiveness
After China made its position clear, on the 25th, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Yongsan stated at a regular press conference on the response of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the South Korean-US joint statement is not directed to a specific country.
Cui Yongsan said that South Korea’s position on the Taiwan issue has basically remained unchanged, and relevant policies will be implemented in accordance with the basic principle of respect for one China.
On the same day, South Korean Foreign Minister Jeong Yi-yong also stated that there are some disputes in the international community surrounding China-related issues. The ROK direction has exercised restraint on issues involving China's internal affairs. The joint statement reflects this position of the ROK side.
He said that the South Korean government fully recognizes the particularity of cross-strait relations, and the South Korean side will stick to this position as always.
The joint statement only contains principled content such as the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The maintenance of regional peace and stability mentioned by the South Korean side is the common aspiration of the members of the region.
South Korea’s “Dong-A Ilbo” reported that some people pointed out that the Moon Jae-in administration’s response to the Biden administration’s move to contain China made people worry that South Korea would once again return to the wire rope between China and the United States.
According to Korean media reports, some people believe that the extremely sensitive Taiwan issue is included in the South Korea-US joint statement, but claims that it is a "general principle, not specific to a specific country." This argument lacks persuasiveness.
On the 26th, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, once again emphasized that the Taiwan issue concerns China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is China’s internal affair, which does not allow any external interference.
People in Seoul, South Korea, wearing masks walk across the Cheonggyecheon Bridge.
China is South Korea’s largest export destination
Senior officials from South Korea: Will continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation with China
On the other hand, some people agreed to strengthen cooperation in cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors and 5G at the South Korea-US summit, and asked whether it is a potential target for China.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Resources of Korea Moon Seung-yu said on the 25th that the economic and trade issues discussed by the leaders of South Korea and the United States at the talks are not limited to specific countries.
China is South Korea’s largest export destination, and South Korean companies are also actively investing in China. China is an important trading partner of South Korea. South Korea will continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation with China.
When Zhao Lijian mentioned Wen Shengyu's statement, he said that in the era of globalization, the industrial chain, supply chain, and value chain of China and South Korea are deeply integrated.
It is in the common interests of the two countries to carry out investment and economic and trade cooperation in accordance with the laws of market economy and free trade.
China welcomes South Korean companies to continue to play an important role in strengthening China-South Korea economic and trade cooperation and promoting the development of bilateral relations.
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