By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

Governor Kim Tae-hum of Chungcheongnam-do met with Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming at the reception room of the provincial government office on April 1. 

The two exchanged pleasantries and words of understanding on local government exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, confirming their friendship.

Governor Kim said, "Korea and China are the closest neighbors and inseparable. I know more about Chinese history than Korean history because I have read a lot of books about Chinese history since I was a child." 

"Chungnam is the closest province to China in Korea. Taean County is so close that 'you can hear chickens crowing at dawn in Shandong Province'. I am a person who thinks that an undersea tunnel should be built between South Korea and China in the future," Kim said, expressing his familiarity.

Ambassador Xing Haiming said, "China and Korea have been friends for thousands of years. Although the international situation is changing dramatically, China and Korea are the closest neighbors, and there is no reason for confrontation. We can only grow if we go hand in hand. We must move toward this goal without being influenced by external factors."

"There's a lot of talk these days about bad feelings between the two countries, but I don't think that's necessarily true. There are nearly one million Chinese people in Korea. They are living quite well in Korea. 

"If you ask South Koreans to choose between the U.S. and China, they might say 'the U.S.,' but if you ask them, 'We should maintain good relations with China while maintaining good relations with the U.S.,' I think more than 70 percent of them will say, 'We should. I think we have the potential to realize a lot of cooperation in the future, such as the undersea tunnel."

Ambassador Xing Haiming added: "The Sino-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Good Sino-US relations are good for each country and good for regional peace and stability. Of course, China also hopes that Sino-US relations will improve. Since the summit last year, there have been many cooperation and exchanges at all levels between the two countries. As far as I know, the US Treasury Secretary will also visit China in the near future."

"Sino-US relations are Sino-US relations, and my most basic task is to do a good job in Sino-Korean relations," he said. There's a saying in China, 'Better a close neighbor than a distant relative,'" he added.

"I agree 100 percent," Kim said, adding, "From China's perspective, it may be uncomfortable with the relationship between the United States and South Korea. I hope we can understand the relationship between North Korea and China, the relationship between South Korea and the United States, defense, security, politics, and other aspects of the international order. South Koreans are more familiar with China than with the United States in terms of culture, history, and lifestyle."