Exchanges, understanding key to improving sentiment over SK, China ties

While Seoul and Beijing, as close neighbors, may inevitably encounter friction and differences, the broader trend of bilateral cooperation and accumulated mutual trust will continue to prevail in the long run, South Korea's Ambassador to China Ro Jae-hun said on Monday.

The number of mutual visits between South Korean and Chinese nationals is expected to exceed 10 million this year, but various opinion polls show that public sentiment toward each other remains relatively unfavorable in both countries.

Rather than allowing fluctuations in opinion polls to define bilateral relations, the two sides should pay greater attention to the mutually beneficial results of bilateral cooperation, Ro told reporters after a concert in Beijing to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

By further deepening exchanges in culture, society, and mutual understanding, the two countries can build on shared experience and ultimately boost goodwill between the two nations, he said.

The ambassador called for the creation of more opportunities for young people to travel, study, and gain a deeper understanding of each other's country.

Only when the two peoples feel connected can relations between the two countries enjoy lasting vitality, he said.

Looking back at the development of relations between South Korea and China during the past 34 years, Ro said at the concert that in good times, the two countries have grown together, and when difficulties have arisen, they have extended a helping hand to each other. At critical moments, Ro said, they have always managed to find a path toward dialogue.

He called on the two neighbors to expand cooperation in industrial and supply chains, green transformation, healthcare, and responses to population aging.

China has developed rapidly in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, and new energy, while South Korea has strengths in semiconductors, high-tech industries, digital technology, and cultural industries, he said.

The future of bilateral cooperation should not be limited to how much business can be done, but what the two countries can create together, he stressed.

The ambassador also highlighted the significance of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting that will be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in November, following last year's meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea.

The continuity between the two meetings offers an important opportunity for Seoul and Beijing to strengthen multilateral cooperation, he said.