Bolster ties based on mutual trust

Since the leaders of China and the US have reached a consensus on the DPRK nuclear issue, Park's visit to China will also have an influence on the US' policies toward the DPRK. Therefore, the forthcoming summit between Park and Xi provides opportunities for building up the framework to solve the DPRK nuclear issue.

Discussions to strengthen bilateral cooperation between China and the ROK are also expected to be high on the summit agenda based on the trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian Peace and Cooperation Initiative. The initiative, mainly led by China, the US, and ROK, is aimed at building a consultation platform that starts with softer, non-political issues, including environmental issues, disaster relief, nuclear safety and counterterrorism, so as to enhance trust among partners and promote a peaceful Northeast Asia.

In fact, a meeting focusing on building strategic dialogues among China, the US and the ROK will be held in the ROK during the course of Park's visit to China.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and the ROK have witnessed flourishing communications between the two peoples. Park's visit provides the opportunity for China and the ROK to steep up their efforts to resolve the DPRK crisis and further improve bilateral ties.

Experts from both China and the ROK say that the recent signals from DPRK about its willingness to go back to the negotiating table can be attributed not only to Seoul's firm stance toward resolving tension through dialogue, but also to the tremendous efforts made by the Chinese government.

During the upcoming summit, a consensus has to be reached on measures that will encourage the DPRK to make tangible efforts to put an end to its nuclear weapons program and carry out reforms.

Park cited Confucius' adage that "trust is the coin of the realm" in her emphasis on diplomacy that is based on mutual trust. Like interpersonal relations, international relations also need to be based on trust. China and the ROK will bolster their bilateral ties based on their long established mutual trust.

The author is a guest professor at the School of Finance, Renmin University of China.

(China Daily 06/26/2013 page9)