This year marks the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Antifascists War and the 60th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War Against Japanese Invasion as well as the 60th anniversary of the emancipation of the Korean Peninsular from colonial rule. Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Victory of the Antifascists War - The Past, Status quo and Future of the China-ROK Relations Workshop cosponsored by People's Daily and the ROK newspaper Dong-a Ilbo was held on March 25 in Seoul.

Speaking of the status quo and future of the China-ROK relations most Chinese representatives were optimistic while the ROK representatives were more or less concerned that the massive Chinese market attracting lots of industries and capitals might result in the "hollowing of industries" in the ROK; that as the competition between the ROK and China on the international market expands frictions like the "garlic incident" would increase; and whether the constantly growing China would one day be hegemonic? And so on.

Yan Xuetong, director of the Institute of International Studies at Tsinghua University, and Qi Baoliang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Contemporary International Relations, said it should be acknowledged that the China-ROK relations are becoming better and better and the both countries share more and more common interests.

The relationship between countries is like that between individuals. The closer and deeper a relationship becomes chances are there will be more frictions and conflicts. Without the comprehensive trade intercourse between China and the ROK there would never be any "garlic incident". It is only normal that conflicts exist because they are conflicts occurring during the bilateral cooperation.

In the future common interests between China and the ROK would grow even further because no one country can cope alone with the negative impact brought about by the economic globalization in the process. China and the ROK have common interests and goals, that is, both of the countries need to settle the questions of peace and development.

Development of the China-ROK relations makes us confident of the future of the relationship. In less than 13 years the China-ROK relations have developed from no official exchanges to a comprehensive partnership, a testimony to the strong drive behind the China-ROK cooperation.

When dealing with conflicts and frictions one should face up to the problems, proceed from the overall consideration of the China-ROK relations, handle them calmly, prudently and rationally, try to build confidence and dispel suspicion and eliminate obstacles of cooperation through communications and dialogue at various levels and in various forms.

The peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula was of course one of the focuses which attracted the attention of representatives from both sides. Dalchoong Kim former president of the ROK International Political Science Association, said the ROK and China play an important role in ensuring the peace process of the Korean Peninsula. To settle the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula basic concepts such as mutual acknowledgement of sovereignty, mutual respect for the boundaries, non-interference in each other's internal affairs and refrainment from military means should be established among the concerned countries such as the US, Japan and the DPRK.

The Chinese representatives believed the biggest problem for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is that cold war has not been terminated. The establishment of the China-ROK diplomatic relationship broke the confrontational pattern of the "south triangle" and "north triangle" formed during the Cold War. It contributed to the elimination of cold war on the peninsula.

Judging from the reality the nuclear issue is affecting the peace and stability of the peninsula. As long as the question is not properly solved there is hardly guarantee of peace and stability of the peninsula. Both China and the ROK are for the denuclearization of the peninsula and emphasize the peaceful settlement of the issue. Both have worked actively for peace and talks and put forward constructive solutions. Both China and the ROK believe the elimination of cold war is the key to the peace of the peninsula. Developing the comprehensive partnership between China and the ROK is conducive to the final end of cold war on the peninsula.

A general impression of the seminar was that attendees from the both sides took part in lively discussions and elaborated on fresh ideas with vivid language. The significance of the event is communications and exchanges themselves. It shows that the mainstraim media in China and the ROK cherish sincere hope for promoting the mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutual trust between the two peoples.

By People's Daily Online