China South Korea Photo:VCG

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea said on Tuesday that strengthening friendly cooperation is in the best interests of China and South Korea and their peoples, in responding to remarks made by South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun during a recent interview with a US media outlet.

In the interview with the Washington Post published on Sunday, Cho claimed that Seoul has become "rather alert to China's rise and its challenges," while also expressing desires to maintain a good relationship with China. The remarks came as the new South Korean foreign minister traveled to the US at "a delicate moment" in the US-South Korea relationship, according to the outlet.   

When asked what the correct approach to China should be, Cho told the Washington Post, "We will try to send a message to China: 'We want to maintain a good relationship, and [see] you abide by international law in not only bilateral, but in regional affairs.'"

In a statement sent to the Global Times on Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea stated that China always firmly upholds the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations grounded in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. 

China currently enjoys positive relations with all its neighbors, and that the vast majority of countries regard strengthening friendly cooperation with China as a diplomatic priority, the embassy noted.

In response to Cho's remarks indicating that "China is a problem," the South Korean's Presidential Office said on Tuesday that "even if there are disagreements on some issues between Korea and China, we will continue to strive to create a Korea-China relationship that contributes to the people's livelihood and regional stability and prosperity," according to South Korean media Chosun Biz.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on Tuesday, emphasizing that Cho had underscored "the necessity of engagement with China" in discussions with regional partners. His remarks, officials said, were not intended as provocation but as part of a broader strategy to manage China's rise while safeguarding South Korea's strategic interests, according to The Chosun Daily. 

The report also mentioned that the statements of the South Korean presidential office and foreign ministry on Tuesday "aimed at de-escalating tensions." 

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea said in the statement that China and South Korea are important neighbors and cooperative partners, and strengthening friendly cooperation is in the best interests of the two countries and their peoples. Since the inauguration of South Korea's new administration, China and South Korea have actively engaged with each other, leading to a positive start in bilateral relations. 

"China stands ready to work with South Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level," the embassy said in the statement.