The Democratic People's Republic of Korea launches a long range rocket launched into the air in this file still image taken from KRT video footage, released by Yonhap on February 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea launches a long range rocket launched into the air in this file still image taken from KRT video footage, released by Yonhap on February 7, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
Despite the recent nuclear test and rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, tough UN economic sanctions on Pyongyang and the planned deployment of the US' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in the Republic of Korea, economic and people-to-people exchanges between China and the ROK are still flourishing.
The temporary economic hardships China faces as a result of its economic restructuring will not dent the confidence of ROK enterprises in the future of the world's second-largest economy. And the unaffected government and non-government exchanges testify that bilateral ties between Beijing and Seoul will not be shaken by negative external factors. There is no possibility the strained situation on the Korean Peninsula will drive a wedge between them as some Western and ROK media have speculated.
A telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and his ROK counterpart Park Geun-hye after Pyongyang's nuclear test once again proved the deep friendship between the two countries. The active communication between the two countries based on their mutual trust and non-evasive attitude toward sensitive issues, such as the simultaneous transmission of a warning message to Pyongyang, showcases their hopes and efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue. For the sake of smooth ties and also regional peace and development, China and the ROK should try to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings before the deployment of the THAAD missile system is formally confirmed, and should maintain close communication and dialogue to enhance mutual trust.
China is concerned that US-led Western countries will excessively exaggerate its influence on the DPRK and put the main responsibility for the failed international endeavor to stop Pyongyang's nuclear tests on China and then advance military drills to exacerbate already-strained regional situations. Such a scenario will negatively affect China's national security interests.