Neighbors should better coordinate at strategic level

Obviously, there are a lot of similarities in Seoul's Eurasia Initiative and Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative as they share the same goal of linking each country with the rest of the world. Hence, there is huge potential in bilateral infrastructure cooperation.

Statistics show the two-way trade volume in 2015 was $227.3 billion, and China is the world's single largest importer of ROK's goods, accounting for nearly one-fourth of its total outbound shipments.

The bilateral trade pact is driving the comprehensive integration of the two economies and contributing to regional integration and economic recovery in the world at large.

Also noteworthy is Beijing and Seoul have been jointly pushing for the revival of China-Japan-ROK trilateral ties since last year and accelerating their efforts to negotiate a trilateral FTA with Japan.

Efforts in this regard have helped ease tensions in the region, which saw ties strained between Beijing and Tokyo, and Seoul and Tokyo due to Japan's revisionist stance on history and its move to nationalize some of China's Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in 2012.

The China-ROK FTA and the trilateral FTA negotiations deepen strategic cooperation and contribute to rebuilding an economic and political order in East Asia which shores up peace and development.

On the other hand, the recent flare-up of tensions in Northeast Asia in the wake of Pyongyang's nuclear test and missile launches has provoked widespread concern. Both neighbors to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, China and the ROK have a shared stake in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Thus both countries are seeking to promote peace and stability on the peninsula and realize its denuclearization. Hence, they need to better coordinate and accommodate each other's strategic interests.

Pyongyang's ambition to pursue nuclear capabilities and Seoul's military alliance with the United States lurk behind the rosy picture of bilateral interaction between Beijing and Seoul. Both countries need to show political wisdom to transcend these so they can continue to deepen their reciprocal cooperation on all levels.

The author is deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily Asia Pacific. jasmine@chinadailyhk.com