China, Korea back and forth goes another round over Taiwan

Diplomacy

Published: 21 Apr. 2023, 14:22 Updated: 21 Apr. 2023, 14:28

China, Korea back and forth goes another round over Taiwan

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang speaks during the forum "Chinese Modernization and the World" held at the Grand Halls in Shanghai on Friday. [AP/YONHAP]

The diplomatic spat between China and Korea over President Yoon Suk Yeol’s comments on Taiwan showed no sign of abating as Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang maintained Beijing’s strong rhetoric in a forum on Friday.

“Those who play with fire on the Taiwan issue will set themselves on fire,” Qin said in a forum hosted in Shanghai.

Though he did not direct the comments at Yoon, the speech came just a day after the Korean Foreign Ministry summoned the Chinese ambassador in Seoul to protest the Chinese Foreign Ministry's response to Yoon's recent comments on Taiwan.

“We must warn those forces engaged in undermining international justice under the banner of international order: the Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, and we will never be ambiguous about who wants to make a fuss about the one-China principle,” Qin said. “Whoever wants to make moves on China's sovereignty and security, we will never back down.”

A Chinese fighter jet pilot from of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army takes part in combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island on April 10. [EPA/XINHUA/YONHAP]

Yoon in his interview with Reuters on Wednesday referred to “attempts to change the status quo by force” on Taiwan, stressing his resolve to “together with the international community absolutely oppose such a change.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Wang Wenbin told Yoon off the next day in a press conference, stressing that the Taiwan question’s “resolution is a matter for the Chinese, who do not need to be told what should or should not be done.”

The Foreign Ministry in Seoul protested Wen’s “unspeakable remark” the same day, calling it “a serious diplomatic gaffe that calls into question China's national dignity.”

It summoned Chinese Ambassador to Korea to protest Wang’s comments on Thursday.

“It was a diplomatic gaffe for the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson to make a rude remark in response to our president’s comment about the general principle of the international community, which is to oppose the unilateral change of status quo by force,” said the ministry in its statement.

“China should make efforts to ensure that this case does not unnecessarily challenge the development of bilateral ties.”

Yoon in his interview also said Korea could provide aid beyond humanitarian or economic support if civilians in Ukraine are attacked in a significant way.

National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications John Kirby adjusts his glasses as he attends the daily press briefing in the James Brady Room at the White House in Washington on Thursday. [EPA/YONHAP]

This drew strong responses from Russia, including its deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, who reportedly hinted in a Telegram chatroom the possibility of arming North Korea with newest weapons from Russia.

U.S. National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications John Kirby responded to such comments by stressing the American alliance with Korea in a press briefing in Washington on Thursday.

“I would just remind that we have a treaty alliance with South Korea. We take that commitment very, very seriously,” said Kirby.

“We’re grateful for the support that South Korea has already provided Ukraine, in the tune of $100 million of humanitarian assistance,” he said. “And, of course, they’ve been very vocal in supporting Ukraine, and they’ve been very vocal in speaking out against Russia’s aggression.”

President Yoon is scheduled for a state visit to Washington from Monday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance, and will be meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on April 26.

In addition to Ukraine, the leaders were expected to discuss China as well, Kirby said.

“And I know of no discussion that we have with those very important allies where we also don’t talk about the challenges posed by China in the region and globally,” he said on Thursday.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]