China, South Korea: Thawing Frosty Feelings, Not Melting Them

(Nicolas Asfouri-Pool/Getty Images)

South Korean President Moon Jae In (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) during a welcome ceremony in Beijing, China, on Dec. 14, 2017. Despite attempts to heal old wounds and build a more supportive partnership during Moon's visit to China, Seoul and Beijing find themselves with increasingly divergent priorities.

After a yearlong feud, South Korea and China are trying to mend fences. On Dec. 13, South Korean President Moon Jae In traveled to China for the first time since his inauguration in an attempt to rebuild the two countries' relationship, which has been damaged by the presence of the United States' Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea. Ever since China responded with unofficial economic sanctions, tensions have been high. Moon's visit attempted to put Beijing and Seoul back on track as they work to move past their differences. On Dec. 13, Moon and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit where Moon hailed a "new era" in bilateral relations. Xi also said Moon's trip could "help repair the damage" of the past year.