Ten days ahead of the 80th anniversary of the '9.3 Victory Day' commemorating its victory over Japan, China welcomed a special envoy delegation from the Lee Jae-myung administration, during which state-run media emphasized the importance of bonds based on anti-Japanese sentiment and strategic cooperation. Regarding President Lee's choice to visit Japan before the United States, it noted, "It will be difficult to resolve historical grievances."
On the 25th, the state-run Global Times emphasized in a commentary titled "Returning to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations is essential for stable progress in China-Korea relations" that "the long-term development of China-Korea relations is rooted in the shared historical memories and strategic interests of both countries."
The commentary stated, "The two countries have built a deep community of fate while fighting against Japan's militaristic aggression," and added, "From the Shanghai Provisional Government building to the Xi'an base of the Korean Liberation Army, shared historical memories have formed the historical ties of China-Korea relations, enabling both countries to naturally align in upholding the significant principles of maintaining the international order after World War II and safeguarding historical justice."
It continued, emphasizing that "maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and ensuring long-term security in Northeast Asia aligns with the strategic interests of both China and Korea," asserting that the two countries are partners in maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula. It also assessed that the trade over the past 33 years of diplomatic relations has brought "substantial benefits to the peoples of both countries."
The commentary also mentioned the visa-free entry policy, emphasizing the "friendship" between the people of the two countries. It stated, "In recent years, due to the influence of Korean dramas, Chinese tourists have frequently visited Myeong-dong and Namsan, while Korean youths have traveled to Shanghai on weekend trips, leading to increased mutual understanding and friendship through frequent exchanges," and added, "These people-to-people exchanges have injected new vitality and energy into the relationship between the two countries."
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's decision to visit Japan before the United States, state-run media maintained a neutral stance while noting the challenges in resolving historical grievances between Korea and Japan. Earlier, President Lee visited Japan for a two-day, one-night schedule on the 23rd, meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before departing for the United States on the 24th. It is considered unusual for a new president to visit Japan before the United States.
State-run Xinhua News Agency evaluated in a commentary covering President Lee's visit to Japan that this unusual visit was made "due to the diplomatic necessity of cooperating with Japan to withstand pressure from the United States," while also stating, "However, in the long term, historical issues between Korea and Japan will be fundamentally difficult to resolve and will have a lasting impact on their relations."
Xinhua News Agency further noted, "The fundamental reason why resolving historical issues between Korea and Japan remains difficult is that right-wing conservative forces in Japan continuously glorify the imperialist wars and refuse to acknowledge war crimes," asserting that "with Japan's political landscape becoming increasingly right-leaning, it will become even more challenging for both countries to achieve genuine reconciliation on historical issues." It also projected that "antiforeign sentiment is increasing in Japan, and it is uncertain whether the Japanese government will respond to Korea's demands regarding historical issues such as 'comfort women' and forced conscription."
Meanwhile, the special envoy delegation is scheduled to meet with Wang Wentao, China's Minister of Commerce, and hold a meeting with overseas Korean entrepreneurs on the same day. On the 26th, they will meet with Vice President Han Zheng and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, who is third in the hierarchy, at the Great Hall of the People. China is set to hold a large-scale military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory on September 3rd, ten days from now. The parade is expected to mobilize tens of thousands of troops along with various weapons and equipment, including next-generation weapons systems.