China urges South Korea to pursue 'independent' foreign policy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on South Korea to pursue an "independent and autonomous" foreign policy, a message he previously delivered in 2022. This latest appeal, made during his visit to Seoul, comes at a time when the alliance between South Korea and the United States is reportedly facing unprecedented strain. Wang's visit also occurs as China, under President Xi Jinping's "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation" agenda, seeks to restore a pre-1895 East Asian order, a period symbolized by the Treaty of Shimonoseki that ended Qing China's influence over Korea.

Wang's emphasis on "independent and autonomous" foreign policy suggests China's desire for South Korea to distance itself from the U.S. alliance and strengthen strategic cooperation with Beijing. This aligns with China's broader strategy in the region, particularly in the context of U.S.-China competition. While Wang highlighted the improvement of South Korea-China relations under the current administration, he showed little enthusiasm for mediating North Korea-U.S. dialogue, stating it was up to North Korea and the U.S. to decide and that the U.S. must change its "hostile policy" toward Pyongyang.

“

The South Korean side hopes to develop an independent and autonomous foreign policy that starts from its own fundamental interests and is mutually non-contradictory.

Historically, China played a significant role in mediating North Korean nuclear negotiations. However, with the rise of China as a global power and the subsequent U.S. "Pivot to Asia" strategy, Beijing's approach has evolved. China is no longer solely focused on bringing North Korea to the negotiating table. Instead, it is engaged in complex strategic calculations, aiming to expand its influence on the Korean Peninsula within the framework of U.S.-China rivalry and leverage both Koreas in its strategy to counter Japan's rearmament.

Analysts suggest China's new strategy involves bringing North Korea back into its orbit for stability, even if a nuclear-armed North Korea is not ideal. The priority is crisis prevention and stability, as an unpredictable North Korea poses a greater risk than a managed one. China aims to use North Korea as a strategic asset in its competition with the U.S., managing Pyongyang's actions to prevent excessive escalation while also disrupting U.S. containment efforts and avoiding a South Korean or Japanese nuclear armament.

“

That is for North Korea and the United States to decide. First, the United States must change its hostile policy toward North Korea.