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In a recent interview, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing emphasized that Seoul does not need to choose between the United States and China, stating that maintaining relations with both countries serves Korea's national interests. Dai made these remarks while commenting on the growing competition between the U.S. and China, which is now extending beyond diplomacy into technology and supply chains.

Ambassador Dai stated in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul on September 29 that China has never asked Korea to side with either the United States or China. He expressed hope that Korea will pursue sound relations with both nations, guided by its own fundamental national interests. Dai further urged that U.S.-China competition should not be the only lens through which the regional order in East Asia is viewed.

Dai emphasized that strategic autonomy does not mean abandoning Korea's alliance with the U.S., reiterating that China respects this alliance relationship. He clarified that China's hope for Korea is to achieve genuine strategic autonomy, which he described as the country pursuing its own interests while maintaining parallel relations with both China and the United States.