by Joseph Yun Li-sun

During a conference of scholars and analysts on the future of China under Xi Jinping, the main problems between the two Asian nations are discussed, including diplomacy, history, culture but especially trade and business. South Korea "is not in any desperate need of China. Even if the latter does not change its export policies, South Korea can do without China".

Seoul (AsiaNews) - South Korea "is not in any desperate need of China. Even if the latter does not change its export policies, South Korea can do without China," South Korean analysts and scholars said during a conference held yesterday in Seoul on China's upcoming Communist Party congress and the "new cooperation" between the two Asian nations.

"Despite ever-growing economic interdependence, South Korea and China remain discordant over history, territory, fishing, North Korean defectors and regional security issues. However, these are fundamental factors to build and develop a relationship of mutual trust over time," said Yoon Pyung-joong, a professor at Hanshin University.

"I envision no drastic changes or some sort of breakthrough for the relations between the two nations unless an emergency occurs such as one in North Korea. In that case, the United States would intervene and this could lead to a situation like in 1950, namely a war between Beijing and Washington on Korean soil," he added.

"The real problem lies in the rivalry between the two powers over trade, currency and strategic supremacy in East Asia," said analyst Ralph Cossa. Xi "is part of a collective leadership being put in place because he supports the policies and approaches of the current leaders and will not break with his predecessors because he cannot. In foreign policy, he will likely continue Hu Jintao's current aggressive policy, but this entails clashes over who will dominate the area."

Many scholars stress the poor quality of products imported from China as an economic issue between the two countries.  Today, South Korea was forced to shut down two reactors at the Yeonggwang nuclear power plant because some non-core parts were not approved. According to the Conservative Party, they were imported from China.

In any case, Chinese exports have met with criticism. China's food industry has been rocked by scandals. The same is true for the toy and textile industries because of poor workmanship.

China represents 16.5 per cent of South Korea's imports but experts warn that "if quality does not improve, that percentage will rapidly drop."

For Choi Kang, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul, "it will be necessary to pay attention to what Xi intends to do with ongoing territorial rows. China has disputes with Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. I do not think he will pull back because he needs the backing of the army but this could worsen an already tense situation."

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