Boost confidence in China diplomacy Seoul should better position itself in relations with Beijing South Korea and China quietly marked the 32nd anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations on Saturday. No official events were held, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the two countries typically celebrate the anniversary only in years ending in 0 or 5, such as the 30th or 35th anniversaries. The three-decade-long relationship between Seoul and Beijing has experienced both highs and lows. Despite this, their economic ties have expanded significantly across various sectors, and human-to-human exchanges have also grown considerably. China has been South Korea's No. 1 trading partner since 2003. However, data released in January by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy revealed a notable shift in this relationship. While China remains South Korea's largest trading partner, its prominence has been challenged by the United States. The U.S. has become South Korea's second-largest trading pa rtner for the first time since 2005, largely due to South Korea's growing exports in automobiles, including electric vehicles. Seoul-Beijing ties have occasionally been tested. Tensions mounted after China surpassed Japan to become the world's second-largest economy in 2011. Despite China's commitment to a peaceful rise, it has become increasingly assertive. China used its largest trading partner status to coerce South Korea into taking specific actions in its favor. This is uncommon behavior for other countries, as most of them try to solve disputes about a certain issue through diplomatic channels rather than pushing their partners around. A notable example of this tension is China's imposition of a tourism ban on South Korea following the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery on the Korean Peninsula. The road ahead for South Korea-China relations is likely to be more challenging. The geopolitical situation in the region has pitted the two nations against each other. South Korea is a key member of the U.S.-led democratic coalition in the Indo-Pacific region, while China is one of the three authoritarian regimes aligned with Russia and North Korea. The global security environment has become more challenging to navigate than ever before with Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the escalating war in the Middle East. South Korea needs to launch a sophisticated diplomatic campaign to keep its security and economic interests intact. Among others, South Korea should prioritize overcoming a "small-state mentality." Facing an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and its potential impact on their country, many South Koreans feel they are caught between two superpowers. Some even liken South Korea to a shrimp caught between two whales. The most troubling rhetoric came from former President Moon Jae-in during his visit to China in December 2017. In a speech to Peking University students and faculty, he described China as "a big mountain" or "a great power" while referring to South Korea as "a small state." It is difficult to understand why the former head of state would use such a demeaning metaphor for his own country. Moon encouraged China to be a tolerant global power, but his word choices were inappropriate, if not disastrous. South Korea is much smaller than countries like the U.S., China and Russia when it comes to land area. But in international politics, a country's size is not the determining factor in its influence. What matters more is its overall standing in key areas such as democracy, trade volume, human rights, and technological advancement. Many South Koreans should have greater confidence in their country's power. South Korea is a global leader in semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. Additionally, it boasts a robust defense industry that is highly regarded in the global race for military advancements. South Korea is also gaining prominence in terms of soft power. It has become a popular tourist destination, especially among millennials and Gen Z, who are captivated b y K-pop and Korean culture. Its strength in both hard and soft power should serve as a source of confidence. The South needs to pursue confident and innovative diplomacy to navigate the challenging issues in its relationship with China and redefine the bilateral relations into a mutually beneficial and productive partnership. By doing so, South Korea can position itself as a pivotal global player. Source: Yonhap News Agency