PREVIEW

Beijing Urges South Korea to Stay Neutral in US-China Rivalry. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged South Korea to avoid taking sides between Beijing and Washington, arguing that Seoul should pursue greater “strategic autonomy”. Wang also blamed what China described as the United States’ “hostile” policy towards North Korea for tensions on the Korean Peninsula and called for a return to dialogue. The minister made the comments during meetings with South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and President Lee Jae Myung, as Beijing seeks to strengthen ties with Seoul. His visit comes after US President Donald Trump said he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later this year and ordered the Pentagon to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea. China welcomed the prospect of reduced military tensions and said it wanted the Korean Peninsula to move towards peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea. At the same time, North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile towards the sea on Thursday, highlighting the continuing security tensions despite recent diplomatic overtures. Wang also pressed Seoul to maintain friendly relations with Beijing and called for progress on a second-stage free trade agreement.
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