Zhao Ma

Inserted 3 years ago

“The larger mission for the Chinese foreign minister to visit Seoul and Tokyo is to stabilize and strengthen China's ties to these two neighbors amid the pandemic and in the wake of Biden winning the U.S. election. Beijing appears cautious in working with the Suga government in part because the prime minister is new, having just started his term. Beijing also remembers that Suga's predecessor Shinzo Abe developed a friendly relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump at both the personal and government level, which solidifies Japan's role as the cornerstone of America's strategic interest in East Asia. Beijing is not sure how much it can sway Tokyo's loyalty away from the forthcoming Biden administration. In contrast, Beijing has more to work with and to expect from Seoul. President Moon disagreed with President Trump on a host of issues from trade to Seoul's contribution to American defense cost-sharing on the Korean Peninsula. South Korean conservatives are not happy with the way Trump flattered (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un. Both Beijing and Seoul share a common goal of denuclearization through diplomacy. Wang Yi is trying to seize on these issues to solidify and expand Beijing's ties to Seoul.”

Koreatimes

Associate professor of modern Chinese history at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.