On November 25, Zhao Minghao, professor at the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University and China Forum expert, gave a keynote speech at a seminar titled “China’s Relations with the Korean Peninsula” of the Sejong Institute at the invitation of Lee Jong-seok, former unification minister of South Korea and senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute.

In his speech on China-US-ROK relations, Professor Zhao said that as America identifies China as its “most consequential geopolitical challenge,” there has been escalating tension in the great power competition between China and the US. The growing US presence and its alliance system in the Asia-Pacific region have undermined China’s strategic periphery. The US-ROK comprehensive strategic alliance aimed at strengthening ties in military, economic and technological security should not hurt the interests of other countries, said Zhao. Amid the prolonged crisis in Ukraine, it is vital to safeguard peace and stability in the Asia Pacific, especially in the Korean Peninsula, and it is in the shared and long-term interests of China and South Korea to avoid regional geopolitical confrontation and its negative economic impact, he added. In response to a question raised at the meeting, Zhao urged South Korea to abide by the one-China principle and properly handle issues such as ROK-US-Japan relations, ROK-NATO relations, and the Korea-US extended deterrence consultation, in order to facilitate the improvement of China-ROK relations.

Founded in 1983, the Sejong Institute is committed to research activities and training programs on national and regional security and international relations.