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The current difficulties and challenges in China-South Korea relations were not caused by China, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Friday, while urging South Korea to adhere to the one-China principle and handle Taiwan-related issues in a prudent way.

According to the Yonhap News Agency, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming had a meeting on June 8 with Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party. During the meeting, Ambassador Xing commented on China-South Korea relations and stressed that the current bilateral relations face considerable difficulties, but the responsibility does not lie with China. The ruling People Power Party later criticized Ambassador Xing's remarks.

It is part of Ambassador Xing's job to have extensive engagement with the South Korean government, political parties and people from all walks of life, as well as to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest and share China's position and concerns, Wang said at a routine press conference on Friday.

Relevant parties in South Korea should put this into perspective and focus on how to face up to problems and realize the stability and growth of China-South Korea relations, Wang noted.

According to media reports, a Chinese official reportedly conveyed "Four Noes" to the South Korean government during a recent visit to South Korea. But a senior official in the South Korean presidential office reportedly dismissed the notion entirely on Wednesday, claiming that such a conversation never took place.

When asked for comments on this issue, Wang noted that in the recent China-South Korea diplomatic consultations at the director-general level, China has clearly and explicitly stated its position and concerns.

"The South Korean side is fully aware of this. It should have an in-depth understanding of the crux of the problem, take it seriously and work with China for the sound and steady growth of China-South Korea relations," Wang stressed.

When asked whether Chinese officials had warned South Korean officials that if Seoul crosses Beijing's red line on the Taiwan question and engages in military coordination with Tokyo and Washington, China will suspend high-level diplomatic engagements and cancel cooperation on policies related to North Korea as media reports claimed, Wang reiterated that "the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. It is at the core of China's core interests. Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese, a matter that must be resolved by the Chinese."

The 1992 joint communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the South Korea explicitly states that the Republic of Korea recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and respects China's position that there is but one China and Taiwan is part of China, Wang said, urging South Korea to act on the spirit of the joint communiqué, adhere to the one-China principle and handle Taiwan-related issues in a prudent way.

Global Times