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Commentary: For the two Koreas, dialogue always better than confrontation

Xinhua, August 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

It is to the relief of many countries in Asia and beyond that the two sides on the Korean Peninsula appeared to have engaged in serious talks amid a worrying escalation of tension there.

Starting Saturday afternoon, high-level representatives of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a marathon session in the truce village of Panmunjom and a second one is still going on.

Despite the lack of information as to any progress they have achieved to defuse tension, the very fact that the two sides chose dialogue over further tit-for-tat actions is a welcome sign.

The latest upward spiral of intense atmosphere started early this month after two South Korean soldiers were wounded by landmines along the border with the DPRK, which the South side said were planted by DPRK soldiers who sneaked across the heavily guarded border. The DPRK denied the accusation.

The following developments, typical of the Game of Chicken played once in a while between the two sides, brought the peninsula to the brink of war and again prompted grave concern over regional stability.

Veteran observers of the Korean Peninsula affairs believe there are many reasons behind the lamentable recurring escalation of tension on the peninsula, with the two sides' lack of basic trust in each other being a prominent one.

Given their history, it is probably unrealistic for them to forgo their deep-rooted mutual suspicion in the near future.

While it might take a long time for the two sides to embrace each other as true brothers, they should try to act in good faith and bear in mind that any move that escalates tension on the peninsula entails grave consequences for themselves, for the region as well as the world.

As a close neighbor and a staunch supporter of peace on the Korean Peninsula, China, along with some other members of the international community, has made great efforts to help achieve lasting peace on the peninsula.

Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula will be a huge boon not only to local people, but also to the world at large.

China opposes any move that could weigh on the already fragile situation on the peninsula and believes it is imperative that the two sides exercise restraint and properly handle the ongoing tension through engagement and dialogue. Endi