Ties between Park, Xi shape East Asia diplomacy

SEOUL - At a ceremony in Beijing on Sept 3 commemorating the 70th anniversary of China's victory over Japan in World War II, South Korean President Park Geun-hye walked alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the head of a procession of foreign VIPs.

As they moved toward the reviewing stand in Tiananmen Square to watch a military parade, Park's yellow jacket stood out against the red carpet, evoking thoughts of China's national colors. Xi extended a particularly warm welcome to Park, who attended the ceremony over the objections of Japan and the US

Shift in sentiment

How times have changed. In 1954, the year after the Korean War ended in an armistice, China held a military parade to mark the fifth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. North Korea's leader, Kim Il Sung, stood shoulder to shoulder with his fellow revolutionary, Mao Zedong.

This year Park, president of China's battlefield foe in the Korean War, stood at almost the same spot next to China's current leader. Kim Il Sung's grandson Kim Jong Un holds power in Pyongyang, but has fallen out with his Chinese sponsors. He did not attend the festivities in Beijing, sending Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea, in his place. Choe was seated far from Xi during the parade, partly because he is not a head of state.

On Sept. 2, Xi and Park held talks, after which the Chinese president had a luncheon in Park's honour attended by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. On the day of the ceremony, China set aside a special room for Park as guests from many countries waited to attend a reception.

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