China a key contributor to peninsula peace

The situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia has been changing at a fast pace.

Therefore, China and the Republic of Korea, as two of the most important countries in the region, should deepen cooperation to achieve win-win results. And yet there are certain factors that need greater attention.

To begin with, what really is the Lee Jae-myung government's China policy?

Since Lee Jae-myung took office, his China policy has not been clear. On the one hand, the ROK president has said multiple times that he highly values his country's relations with China, and adopted a cautious attitude toward the Taiwan question. On the other hand, during his visit to the United States earlier this year, Lee said the ROK can't continue the current foreign policy, which is based on two key factors: the ROK's security relies on the US, and its economy on China.

He also said that the ROK will deal with both security and economic issues under the framework of the US-ROK alliance, and even defined the current relationship with China as one that needs to be properly managed.

So it is not clear what Lee is really thinking. If he wants to manage the ROK's relations with China under the framework of the US-ROK alliance, China-ROK ties cannot develop smoothly.

Second, the APEC meeting is scheduled for late October in the ROK, and China attaches great importance to that meeting. Given China's increasing importance for the global economy, including the ROK's economy, and its growing global influence, the ROK would want to seize the opportunity to improve China-ROK ties.

Third, what is the situation and development trend on the Korean Peninsula, and whether Beijing and Seoul can deepen practical cooperation to address the peninsula issue?

This year has seen some important developments in relation to the Korean Peninsula. Lee became the ROK's president in June, following the impeachment of previous president Yoon Suk-yeol, whose abrupt declaration of martial law in late 2024 plunged the country into political turmoil. On his part, US President Donald Trump has been reiterating that he wants to have direct talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong-un, ostensibly to resolve the peninsula issue. And Kim Jong-un visited China to attend the Sept 3 military parade, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Also, after taking office, Lee emphasized that improving relations with the DPRK is his top priority. But despite sending positive signals to the DPRK, he is yet to receive a proper response. Many observers have said that given the current situation on the peninsula, Lee could seek the US' help to defuse tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul. In fact, during his visit to the White House, Lee even told Trump that he is the only person who can address the Korean Peninsula issue.

But Trump's involvement in Pyongyang-Seoul relations will not lead the talks, if they are held, anywhere, because the US and the DPRK lack mutual trust and communication channels.

Nevertheless, it is likely that the situation on the Korean Peninsula will develop rapidly in the near future.

But then, following Kim Jong-un's visit to China, relations between Beijing and Pyongyang are developing steadily. As such, Lee, instead of involving the US to resolve the Pyongyang-Seoul issues, should make concerted efforts on his own and strengthen cooperation with China to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue.

The author is the director of and a professor in the Department of China's Regional Strategy, National Institute of International Strategy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

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