Humane lessons from Korean tragedy

China is South Korea’s largest trading partner country, and South Korea is China’s third-largest. About 40,000 South Korean companies are doing business in China. Bilateral trade volume reached $25.63 billion in 2013, which also saw more than 20,000 people traveling daily between the two countries.

Given the geographical proximity, it is natural for China and South Korea to share cultural similarities. It is indeed essential to apply to UNESCO to get World Heritage status for China’s cultural heritages. But is it necessary to condemn and hate South Korea for applying to UNESCO to get World Heritage status for ondol or Dragon Boat Festival? A country’s development depends on its present and the future, so we should learn from the spirit of innovation that South Korean enterprises have shown.

Talking about culture, the “Korean wave” has created a controversy in China. While some young Chinese, especially women, have fallen in love with the “Korean wave”, others despise the Korean TV dramas saying they are for “mentally retarded” people. The important thing is for people to agree to disagree. What may be naïve stories for some could be the stuff of dreams for others. The “Korean wave” can be seen as a competitor of Chinese pop culture but not as a cultural invader. A rising China should be more open-minded and inclusive, instead of being insulated.

Indeed, after the Asiana Airlines plane crash-landed in San Francisco last year, South Korea’s “A Channel” host Yinqing Min made an insensitive remark: “The latest news! Yes, two people, Chinese rather than Korean, died in the accident … really lucky, eh!” But he had to pay a heavy price for that, and the South Korean foreign ministry later apologized for his rude exclamation.

People-to-people exchanges and their perceptions of each other are fundamental to bilateral relationship. Irresponsible remarks passed by an individual do hurt people’s feelings. But that doesn’t mean that the other side should lose its humanity and sense of good neighborliness.

Confucius has said: “Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.” Therefore, to pave the way for good neighborly and friendly relations, people in China and South Korea, which share the legacy of Confucius, should refrain from passing irrational comments that will create or deepen misunderstandings.

The author is an editor with China Daily.