Newsletter

A two-day symposium titled "Promoting Peace in East Asia and Transnational Cooperation" was hosted by the Foundation on December 17-18, 2010. The Foundation has held two conferences on a similar theme, in June and November 2009 respectively, and the symposium served as a platform for researchers and scholars to discuss a wide range of issues concerning cooperation in transnational areas such as the borderland between China and North Korea.

The international symposium kicked off on December 17 with a keynote speech on Korea-China relations and peace in East Asia by Kwon Byung-hyun, a former Korean ambassador to China. Following his keynote speech, twenty scholars from Korea and China made presentations and engaged in discussions regarding theoretical approach toward transnational cooperation, current situation in the northeastern part of China, and possible ways to promote transnational cooperation in the borderland between China and North Korea.

The discourse on East Asia has grown into a main trend in academia, and the possibility of an East Asian Community has become a hot topic among intellectuals in Korea and other East Asian countries. Nevertheless, we cannot deny that the discourse on East Asia lacks substance and concrete plans for implementation.

Taking these into consideration, the Foundation decided to focus on transnational cooperation in the border areas, which are emerging as "growing points" for cooperation and growth in the age of globalization since the end of the Cold War. At this symposium, the Foundation aimed to encourage participants to discuss concrete plans to promote peace in East Asia and ways to implement them. Accordingly, it was only natural that the Foundation paid close attention to the northern part of China, which has been a place for Korea-China historical frictions. With risks surrounding North Korea escalating, this region is emerging as a strategic and crucial venue in history.

Growth and Role of Chinese people of Korean descendant (朝鮮族) and their community

In the two previous conferences, participants focused their discussions on the need for and possibility of transnational cooperation, and actual policies for promoting cooperation in the borderland of China. This time, attendees also made presentations and exchanged views on growth and development in border areas and the role of businesses, and agricultural cooperation between China and the two Koreas, as well as touching on other existing topics.

Professor Yi Gyu-young (Korea) presented his analysis on the historical experiments of European countries from transnational, national, and public perspectives. He went on to discuss in detail the implications they have on East Asia and their limitations.

His paper broadened our horizon on the issues surrounding the border areas, and presented useful examples in that European countries' experience serve as good lessons for Northeast Asian countries looking for a model for peaceful co-existence. In addition to Professor Yi Dong-ryul's paper that offered background information about transnational cooperation in China, Professor Yi Gyu-young's presentation provided us with a fresh perspective that border areas are changing from marginal and closed spaces to places for cooperation and communication.

Professor Yi Baozhong (衣保中) of Jilin University commented on the role of Chinese people of Korean descendant (朝鮮族) in the development of Duman River area, stressing that the Korean Chinese community has the potential to greatly contribute to the growth and development in Tumen River area and lead the efforts for cooperation in Northeast Asia. Moreover, he insisted that they can demonstrate independent thinking and openness by sublimating their marginal culture into a more diverse and blended culture. He believes that the Korean Chinese community will assume a key role in creating East Asian Community. Such assertion of Chinese scholars is of significant importance, when others voice negative views that the Korean Chinese community is falling apart.

Another key issue at the symposium was agricultural cooperation in border areas, and a number of participants presented papers on this topic. Professor Jin Ying (金潁) of Liaoning University shed light on the fact that paddy field farming, introduced by Chinese people, laid the foundation for the creation of the Korean Chinese community in the northern part of China as well as contributing greatly to agricultural development in that area. Professor Jin's presentation on the history of Korea-China cooperation indicated that the history of co-existence and mutual advancement can once again become reality.

Professor Man Haifeng of Eastern Liaoning University pointed out that Liaoning Province's borderland development plan, combined with market demand, creates the opportunities for transnational cooperation in this region. Professor Man also talked about the possibility of building a comprehensive resort complex for ecological, creative, leisure- and experience-oriented tourism. In line with this, Dr. Chu Won-seo of Korea Development Bank explained the prospects for green growth and the role of businesses through transnational cooperation, adding that Korea and China can pursue green growth projects together. Dr. Kim Young-hun of Korea Rural Economic Institute presented a paper on inter-Korean agricultural cooperation, and suggested that an agricultural complex, similar to the Gaesung Industrial Complex, be created in the borderland so that North Korea can engage in communication and transactions with the outer world. Professor Jin Hualin (金華林) of Yanbian University and Professor Zhang Dongming of Liaoning University presented respective papers on China's Northeast development plan (東北振興), Korea-Japan business cooperation, and China-North Korea economic and trade relations, stressing the strategic importance of Korea-China cooperation in the borderland between China and North Korea.

From Conflict to a Path for Mutual Advancement and Co-existence

The symposium holds a great significance in that participants from Korea and China reaffirmed the possibility for creating an "epistemic community" for a more peaceful and prosperous future of Northeast Asia, as well as agreeing that cooperation between China and the two Koreas can be strengthened further.

Peace in East Asia is being threatened by a series of incidents, including the sinking of a South Korean naval ship, Cheonan, and bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island. It was very timely that intellectuals from Korea and China met at the symposium, reflecting on the history of East Asia and exploring new ways to promote peace and cooperation in the region.

In this context, the Foundation expects that the symposium will help overcome historical conflicts and pave the way for peace and prosperity in East Asia, and hopes that the symposium will be held on a regular basis to discuss concrete implementation plans to build the East Asian Community. The major achievement at the symposium would be reaffirming our will to moving toward a path for co-existence and mutual advancement while recognizing that it is impossible to enjoy stability in East Asia without peace in the Korean peninsula.