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China Commits to Constructive Role, Removes Yellow Sea Platform, Urges Security Guarantees for Korean Peninsula

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  • Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the Chinese Embassy in Seoul on Feb. 2, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing Outlines Constructive Policy On 3 February 2026, Ambassador Dai Bing told Yonhap that China will play a “constructive role in our way” on the Korean Peninsula, maintaining a stable policy and continuous communication with South Korea while urging effective steps to resolve core security issues [1]. He emphasized that China’s approach will be guided by its own perspective rather than external pressure. The statement signals Beijing’s intent to stay actively involved in regional stability.

Beijing Praises South Korean Tension‑Easing Efforts Dai praised President Lee Jae Myung’s recent diplomatic outreach, noting that Seoul’s active engagement to restore inter‑Korean ties and revive stalled talks with the United States is highly appreciated [1]. He highlighted the importance of dialogue as a foundation for peace. The commendation underscores China’s support for South Korea’s peace‑building initiatives.

Summit Context Shapes Beijing’s Statements The remarks followed last month’s Beijing summit where President Lee asked President Xi to act as a mediator on North Korea, and Xi advised patience while Lee floated a shift toward arms‑control discussions rather than exclusive focus on denuclearisation [1]. The summit provided a diplomatic backdrop for Dai’s comments. Beijing presented the meeting as a platform for broader security cooperation.

China Defends Yellow Sea Structures as Civilian Dai dismissed “baseless rumors” about two buoys and a fixed tower constructed between 2018 and 2024, describing them as deep‑sea salmon farms and a fish‑farm management platform, not a military installation [1]. He asserted that the structures serve civilian aquaculture purposes. This defense aims to counter accusations of militarisation in the Yellow Sea.

Beijing Announces Removal of Contested Fixed Platform Beijing announced it will dismantle the disputed fixed platform as a follow‑up to the summit agreements, intending to ease maritime‑boundary tensions and advance demarcation talks based on mutual respect and legitimate concerns [1]. The removal is presented as a confidence‑building measure. It seeks to create a more favorable environment for future negotiations.

Dai Calls for Security Guarantees to Re‑engage North Korea Identifying security as the root cause of the peninsula stalemate, Dai urged all relevant parties to provide effective security guarantees that could draw North Korea back to talks [1]. He implied that credible assurances are essential for Pyongyang’s participation. The call reflects China’s push for a broader security framework beyond denuclearisation.

Sources

Timeline

Nov 28, 2025 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young warns that North Korea may adopt a more hostile posture in 2026, urges dialogue, cites a five‑month window before the U.S.–China summit and a possible Trump‑Kim meeting in April, stressing “confrontation, hostility and hate should be removed” [26].

Nov 28, 2025 – President Lee Jae‑myung tells the G20 in Johannesburg that reunification remains a constitutional duty, warns accidental clashes could occur, and cites analysts’ projection that North Korea’s nuclear stockpile could exceed 400 warheads by 2040 [27].

Dec 2, 2025 – Lee pledges a phased denuclearization roadmap, vows to start formal negotiations within six months and aims for a 2030 agreement, stating “We will work toward a nuclear‑free Korean Peninsula” [30].

Dec 2, 2025 – Lee proposes reopening the inter‑Korean hotline and other diplomatic channels, saying “Restoring communication will reduce tensions and enable dialogue” [29].

Dec 4, 2025 – Lee announces a January visit to Japan, pledges “we will not overlook the wartime history disputes” while committing to shuttle diplomacy and deeper cooperation [28].

Dec 10, 2025 – Seoul and Tokyo schedule a mid‑January summit in Nara, likely at Todaiji Temple, emphasizing “shuttle diplomacy” to sustain momentum despite the Dokdo dispute [25].

Dec 14, 2025 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young says the ministry is reviewing participation in upcoming Seoul‑Washington talks on North Korea policy, noting the meeting name may change [24].

Dec 15, 2025 – South Korea and the United States hold their first joint North Korea policy talks since the new government took office, led by Jeong Yeon‑doo and Acting Ambassador Kevin Kim, to keep a regular dialogue channel open [23].

Dec 19, 2025 – Chung Dong‑young declares the unification ministry will lead North Korea policy, cites 10 border crossings in November, and urges pre‑emptive steps to rebuild trust [22].

Dec 25, 2025 – Analysts say a Kim‑Trump summit could materialize around President Trump’s planned April 2026 China visit, noting Kim’s conditional openness “if Washington drops its hollow obsession with denuclearization” [21].

Dec 30, 2025 – Cheong Wa Dae announces Lee’s four‑day China state visit (Jan 4‑7), with stops in Beijing and Shanghai, marking his second summit with Xi after the November APEC meeting [20].

Dec 31, 2025 – In his New Year address, Lee declares he will act as a “pacemaker” for renewed North Korea‑U.S. talks and supports President Trump’s hope to meet Kim Jong‑un [19].

Jan 2, 2026 – Yonhap reports that Lee Jae‑myung and Xi Jinping will hold a bilateral summit in Beijing on Monday, underscoring the high‑level nature of the engagement [18].

Jan 4, 2026 – Lee lands in Beijing, begins a four‑day state visit that includes a Korea‑China economic forum, a Shanghai leg, and plans to discuss North Korea, trade and cultural exchanges [17]; Cheong Wa Dae also notes his scheduled Monday meeting with Xi [Jinping] [16].

Jan 5, 2026 – Lee and Xi open talks on denuclearization and economic ties, with Lee calling China “an important partner” for peace, while both leaders agree to cooperate on negative sentiment in each other’s societies [14][13]; nine MOUs covering AI, cosmetics and autonomous‑vehicle tech are signed at a business forum [15]; Lee posts a selfie taken with a Xiaomi phone gifted by Xi, quipping “The image quality is certainly good, right?” [1].

Jan 6, 2026 – Lee meets Xi, signs additional cooperation agreements on technology, trade and the environment, and Xi urges South Korea to “firmly stand on the right side of history” amid China‑Japan tensions [1].

Jan 7, 2026 – Lee asks Xi to mediate the North Korean nuclear crisis, stating “all channels with North Korea are completely blocked” and urging Beijing to press Pyongyang [4]; South Korean ambassador Lee Hyuk says the planned Nara summit “could carry great significance for the development of ties” [12].

Jan 13, 2026 – President Lee and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi begin their Nara summit, tour Hōryū‑ji, and pledge to deepen trade and security cooperation, with Lee declaring “Korea‑Japan cooperation is more important than ever” [10][11][2][3].

Jan 16, 2026 – Lee stresses that mutually beneficial Seoul‑Tokyo relations are “more important than ever,” urging identification of numerous cooperation areas [9]; former U.S. envoy Joseph Yun warns North Korea will only engage if it receives sanctions relief and nuclear acknowledgment [8].

Jan 21, 2026 – Lee vows a diplomatic push to restart North Korea‑U.S. talks, announces restoration of the Sept 19, 2018 inter‑Korean military agreement, and outlines a three‑stage denuclearization roadmap [7].

Jan 26, 2026 – Unification Minister Chung Dong‑young says the ministry is reviewing the appointment of a special peace envoy to help restart U.S.–North Korea dialogue, aligning the review with the window before President Trump’s April China visit [6].

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