South Korea should rethink joint drill

• Source: Global Times
• [05:00 July 08 2010]
• Comments

Public sentiments in China and South Korea vis-à-vis each other have fallen to a new low in recent years. Some Chinese people have been comparing the US-South Korea drill to the visit to Yasukuni Shrine by Japan's former prime minister Koizumi Junichiro.

It is a shame and a provocation on China's doorstep.

If a US aircraft carrier enters the Yellow Sea, it will mean a major setback to Seoul's diplomacy, as hostility between the peoples of China and South Korea will probably escalate, which Beijing and Seoul have been working for years to avoid.

China welcomes the growing economic and cultural influence of South Korea in Northeast Asia.

If the Lee Myung-bak administration shows greater vision and disengages from the needlessly provocative military action, it will gain the respect of China and others, and reap the benefits of regional stability and peace.