China complains to South Korean ambassador in tit-for-tat move after Seoul summoned Beijing's envoy
China's Foreign Ministry says an assistant minister has lodged a complaint with South Korea’s ambassador to China
BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese official lodged a complaint with South Korea's ambassador to China, in a tit-for-tat move after Beijing's envoy to South Korea was summoned last week over his comments accusing Seoul of tilting toward the United States.
Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong expressed dissatisfaction with Seoul's response to last week's meeting between Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming and a South Korean opposition leader, according to a statement Sunday from China's Foreign Ministry.
Nong said it was Xing's duty to meet with different people in South Korea and he hoped Seoul would reflect on the relationship between the two countries and work with China to promote healthy and stable ties, the statement added.
The diplomatic row between China and South Korea comes amid fierce competition between Washington and Beijing for global influence.
