South Korea should not fear China’s rise, says foreign minister

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has advised the nation not to fear China's growing influence nor downplay its own capabilities. This advice came during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, their first in nearly three months. Cho emphasized during a subsequent statement on X that Seoul should foster cooperation between the two nations that benefits both parties, leveraging the autonomy and innovation of its people and businesses.

Cho's remarks were made in the context of preparations for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, scheduled for November 18-19. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to participate in this summit, which will likely include several high-ranking world leaders. Additionally, Lee plans to attend a dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife.

Cho stated that the Seoul administration aims to leverage Lee's visit to enhance bilateral ties and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in areas where the two countries complement each other's strengths. Notably, South Korea and China have been working to mend their strained relations, particularly after a period of tension under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. However, the Yoon administration had sought to improve ties with China while maintaining Seoul's security alliance with the United States.

During their meeting in Beijing, Wang expressed China's intention to deepen cooperation with South Korea in both traditional industries and emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence and biomedicine. Wang also noted that bilateral relations have returned to a positive trajectory following increased dialogue between the two countries' leaders.