On March 25, People's Daily of China and Donga Ilbo (East Asia Daily) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) jointly held the symposium marking the 60th anniversary of victory in the Anti-Fascist War and on the past, present and future of China-ROK relations. Journalists, experts and scholars of the mainstream media of the two neighboring countries gathered together to have heated discussions on China-ROK ties.

During bilateral exchanges, some South Korean participants frankly expressed their worries about the present and future of relations between the two countries: Whether or not the vast Chinese market would lure away large amounts of ROK industries and capital, and thus "hollow up" South Korea's domestic industries; along with China's development, whether the two countries' inter-dependent economic ties existing in the early period of establishment of diplomatic relations have changed over to competitions and have thus expanded the area of competitions between the two countries on the international market, for instance, whether there would be more frictions such as the "garlic incident" occurred several years ago; whether the continuously growing China would practice hegemony; and whether the Chinese side could make allowances for South Korea's own "difficulties" in handling ROK-China and ROK-America relations, etc.

A South Korean anchorperson and professor finally made comments on the symposium, saying it was successful for the following two reasons: First, the exchange was frank, and only really good friends could engage in such frank exchanges; second, both sides could take the stand of the other side to give considerations to the different views of the other side, and this is the due attitude as a friend should have. As one of the participants in the symposium, this writer Wen Xian shares the professor's views expressed in his comments.

Almost 13 years have passed since China and the ROK officially established diplomatic relations on August 24, 1992. The rapidity of development, the depth of cooperation and the width of area of China-ROK relations over these 13 years are out of the expectations of many people. The rapid development of such all-round cooperative partnership has brought about solid benefits to the peoples of the two countries, as well as minor frictions such as the "garlic incident". When two neighbors never had contacts with, nor even talked to, each other before, superficially they had no contradiction, but that kind of "Cold War" state was actually the biggest contradiction. These two neighbors, once in a "Cold War" state, now not only have intercourses, but also have been experiencing ever-deepening cooperation. From a dialectical point of view, at this time the two sides having some minor contradictions and frictions naturally are normal phenomena, that's because all these are contradictions and frictions appeared in the course of cooperation and development. These contradictions and frictions should only be dealt with truthfully on the basis of the general situation of China-ROK relations and be treated in a calm, prudent and reasonable manner. When something unhappy occurs, first one should not get angry, instead one should bring problems to the negotiating table, increase trust and relieve doubts through communication and exchange, contradictions cropped up in cooperation should be solved through cooperation, frictions arising in development should be eliminated through development, that is aimed to achieve a win-win result.

From economic globalization and other macroscopic perspectives, the development of the benign interaction of China-ROK relations is not only necessary, but also indispensable. These bear on the fundamental interests of the two peoples of China and South Korea whether in terms of joining hands to maintain peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, or of jointly strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. Both China and the ROK are racing along the road to development, when development advances a certain stage, it is understandable that the two sides have both cooperation and competition. Approaching the problem from another perspective, normal competition is perhaps not completely a bad thing, for South Korea, the fast development of China's economy is a challenge, but how can it not be regarded also as an opportunity?

One of the advantages of frank exchange is that it gives people a clear head. China defines its own development road as "peaceful development". China does not station a single soldier in the territory of other countries. Historically, China experienced untold suffering from aggressions by foreign powers, it has repeatedly expressed that even if it becomes powerful, it will not be a hegemonic country acting in the way of the strong bullying the weak. Under such circumstance, some South Korean friends still show their worries about whether or not China would seek hegemony in the future. Such worries are understanding, but at the same time are unnecessary, China will honor its promise with its actual deeds that it "will never seek hegemony"

As the saying goes, "It is advisable to look ahead with a broad view at the distant scenery". Pushing forward China-ROK all-round cooperative partnership is a general prospect. It is necessary to have such a broad mind and impressive bearing to maintain this general prospect.

The above article by Wen Xian is carried on the front page of People's Daily Overseas Edition, April 4, and translated by People's Daily Online